Fewer Corvettes show up for the 2023 SCCA Runoffs with no revival in sight

Just five Corvettes scored results at the 60th annual SCCA runoffs held at VIR on Sept 28-Oct 1.

In the T1 class, # 134 James Candelaria 2005 C6 Corvette from Boca Raton FL took 3rd place in a 14-car field.  # 33 Joe Aquilante 2007 C6 Corvette from Chester Springs PA opted out.  Given all he has done for Corvette racers, Joe is more than entitled!

In the T2 class also comprised of a 14-car field, # 73 Dave Sanders 2003 C5 Corvette ZO6, a long-time regular from Malvern PA finished 5th while # 12 Brian LaCroix 2005 C6 Corvette from Hyannis, MA was 8th.

In the GT2 class comprising 15 cars, # 02 Michael Quattlebaum 2005 C6 Corvette, a first timer from Houston, TX finished 6th. 

Also, in GT2, # 165 Jorge Nazario, veteran racer from San Juan, PR finished 8th in this newly bought highly developed winning 2017 C7 Corvette built by Andrew Aquilante.

In the GT1 class, four of a paltry seven car field did no start due to broken engines or damage beyond repair.  With just three cars remaining, the race was scrubbed.

As for the shrinking number of Corvettes, there seems to be reluctance among the folks at SCCA and their counterparts at GM to address the highly acclaimed C8 Corvette, starting its fifth year of production.  Objections cited are the mid-engine C8 Corvette costs too much and is too complex, while owners indicate they are too nice and too valuable to race.

Photos courtesy of Dave Sanders, Dominic Mandile and Dom Rizzo.