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The team at Corvette Racing has been honing the capabilities of its C8.R Corvettes and is fresh off of its 24-hour Daytona win. The strategy has been the team’s ace in the hole throughout many a race and now, the team is using that same wisdom to help it get a secure foothold upon many new podiums around the globe.
(lead image from Corvette Racing Fans Facebook page, photo by Richard Prince/rprincephoto.com)
Corvette Racing has been a staple participant in IMSA’s GTLM class for years. The team and drivers have struck fear in competitors and endeared themselves to fans wherever they compete. Now, Corvette Racing is taking their new C8.Rs to new venues, hoping (and preparing) that their cars will give them the ability to enjoy similar results.
Usually distinguished by their color, the numbers 3 and 4 C8.R Corvettes were both wearing a silver shade and a third Corvette, number 63 was presumably testing for its WEC racing wearing Corvette's favorite shade of yellow. (Photos by Richard Prince for Chevy Racing)
A single C8.R Corvette competed at the World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans event in February of last year. The WEC has just reported that a C8.R Corvette will compete in the series’ season opener this year and it is anticipated the team will also find themselves on-track during other WEC races. On April 4, 2021, a C8.R Corvette is slated to compete at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal during the 8 Hours of Portimao. Antonio Garcia and Oliver Gavin are set to drive the No. 63 C8.R. This will be the first time they have shared a car in their Corvette Racing careers.
You may remember that Oliver Gavin stepped away from full-time Corvette Racing driving duties but has now found himself back in a seat he is quite accustomed to residing, with long-time co-driver Antonio. The duo may be slated back together when the sole C8.R Corvette is anticipated to compete in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, slated to be held one month later on May 1, 2021. Both races are believed to serve as prerequisites for the team to secure a spot as factory entries for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Click the video below to hear the number 63 Corvette carve its way around the Sebring circuit.
As all eyes begin to focus on the famed airstrip known as Sebring, several C8.R Corvettes have been seen slithering around the bumpy racecourse. The numbers 3 and 4 Corvettes were both exercising in preparation for the upcoming race wearing the same shade of silver. But also, a yellow C8.R wearing the number 64 was also seen during testing. It is presumed that the silver cars are slated for the upcoming Sebring contest while the yellow, number 63 C8.R is getting in a little track time in preparation for its task during the opening WEC race in Portimao, Portugal.
Be sure to watch the C8.Rs as they wrestle with the world’s best during the upcoming 12-Hours of Sebring race. Festivities will run from Wednesday, March 17, 2021, to Saturday, March 20, 2021. The race will begin at 10 am on Saturday, March 20th and run most of the day. You can get tickets on the Sebring Raceway’s website, or watch the action live on IMSA’s own IMSA.tv.
