Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

Back in August when General Motors introduced the all-new GT2 class Corvette C6.R, it ran downsized 6.0-liter version of the 7.0-liter V8 from the long-dominant GT1 car. At the launch, Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan told us the 6.0-liter was just an interim engine. With revised GT rules on tap for 2013, GM was already planning a brand-new engine for its race Vette.

Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

Unlike the 6.0/7.0, which is a ground-up race engine that only shares basic architectural dimensions with the production small block, the 2013 C6.R's V8 is a new 5.5-liter unit that will indeed be derived from the production engine found in roadgoing Corvettes. In fact, the 5.5-liter race engine will be built at GM's Performance Build Center alongside ZR1 and Z06 V8s.

Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

Fehan has confirmed that the 5.5 is running on the dyno and will make its race debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. We don't have any additional details on the new engine yet, although we were told earlier that it is based on the next-generation production small-block, which we expect to see in the Corvette soon

Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

Corvette Racing is preparing for the season-opening round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, to be held in Sebring, Fla., on March 20. Forty years ago, Sebring set the stage for some highly competitive racing among Cobras, Ferraris, and Corvettes. 

Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

Difficult weather and trying mechanical situations added a challenging dimension to an exciting event. In light of recent C5-R successes and the impending start of yet another season of American Le Mans Series competition, a look back at the effort put forth by the privateer Corvette camp lends amazing perspective.

Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

Corvette Racing will compete in the GT (formerly GT2) class against entries representing Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Jaguar, and Ford. Corvette Racing drivers Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen, and Antonio Garcia are testing the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Emmanuel Collard are testing the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Chevrolet CORVETTE Racing at Sebring 2013

2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Chevrolet is supplying the Indianapolis 500 with a 2013 Camaro SS as a pace car. Unveiled ahead of the 2013 event which is taking place at the Brickyard on May 30, the Inferno Orange metallic muscle car will mark the sixth time a Camaro has paced the 100 year-old 500 since its debut in 1967. Officials from Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car at the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum.

2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car 

"We've enjoyed a great partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the years," said Jim Campbell, General Manager, Chevrolet, "and are proud to once again have the privilege of pacing the Indianapolis 500 in a Camaro."

2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

The 2013 Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 pace car is a 21st century sports car that looks to the future with a nod to both the car's and the race's heritage. The first year for Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, the year the Camaro made its debut. Camaro has since paced the race in 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2013.

This year's pace car features an Inferno Orange Metallic paint scheme with White Diamond rally stripes that travel from the front to the rear over the top of the body, as well as extending to the instrument panel. The design is a modern interpretation of the original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.

2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

"Chevrolet has done it again with the 2013 Chevy Camaro SS Pace Car, it is simply beautiful," said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. "The car's tribute to '500' history and its sports car feel will be a big hit with our fans, and it will look great leading the Indianapolis 500 field on Race Day."

2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

The 2013 pace car is equipped with a stock 400 hp 6.2L V-8, an RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents. The pace car also features unique design cues that further enhance the Camaro's head-turning design. Features unique to the pace car include:

- 2013 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests

- 2013 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders

- All-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory

- Amber lens tail lamps

- Complete safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window (no rooftop light bar)

- All-new GM Accessory floor mats with red and orange accent stitching

 2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Starting at approximately $23,000, and offering an EPA-estimated 29 highway mpg on the V-6-powered car, the all-new Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that doesn't sacrifice on performance. Despite the recent economic challenges, the Camaro has overtaken its closest competitor to lead the regular sports car segment in sales for the last six months. Chevrolet sold more than 6,000 Camaros in each of these months.

2013 Chevrolet Sports Car Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. The 2013 racing season marked the 100th anniversary of the Speedway and the start of its Centennial Era, which continues with the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2013.