Chevrolet unboxes 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona-bound Corvette Z06 GT3.R

Chevrolet recently unveiled the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, its entry for the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race.

The unveiling was done recently at the Daytona International Speedway. The Corvette Z06 GT3.R is Chevrolet’s first racecar that fully meets the International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) technical regulations for GT3 cars.

“The Corvette Z06 GT3.R breaks new ground for Chevrolet and the Corvette Racing program. This customer-focused racecar leverages learnings from throughout Corvette Racing’s lengthy and successful history, plus the expertise of our Corvette production design, engineering and powertrain teams,” said General Motors (GM) Competition Motorsports Engineering Director Mark Stielow.

According to the Golden Bowtie brand, the design and development of the mid-engine Z06 GT3.R is a collaboration between GM’s Competition Motorsports Engineering division and Pratt Miller Engineering.

Under its hood is a 5.5-liter flat-plane crankshaft DOHC V-8 engine. The powerplant, said the Michigan-based brand, shares more than 70 percent of its parts with the production Z06 engine, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets, and a variety of other sensors.

The mill sits on a lightweight aluminum chassis where a purpose-built steel roll cage is welded onto a base plate and secured.

A double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear promotes a higher level of adjustability and fitment of racing-specific tire sizes. It also has race springs and dampers, competition-specific rotors, calipers, and pads, all of which are added by the motorsports engineering team.

Motorsports engineers also worked with the GM Design Studio to develop an aerodynamic package specific to the Z06 GT3.R to optimize levels of downforce, stability, drag reduction, and cooling.

The product were carbon fiber splitters, a new and purpose-designed carbon fiber diffuser, and a new wing.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R rides on 18-inch front and rear wheels — the same as the ones on the Corvette C8.R.

“Corvette Racing has been an important influence on the design of Corvette production cars for 25 years. Corvette production and racing teams worked together closely in development to maximize the benefits of a mid-engine design, sharing lessons learned that set both programs up for an all-out performance on the track,” commented Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter.

The reveal of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R follows a two-year testing program, which started with virtual simulation through Chevrolet’s Driver in the Loop simulator in early 2021.

The first on-track test of the Z06 GT3.R took place in September 2022, which means the Z06 GT3.R will have a full year of on-track development when it gets into the hands of customers in the third quarter of 2023.

“We’re all very pleased with the results from the track testing program so far. What’s even more encouraging is the correlation between simulator sessions and what we’re finding in the real-world track testing. It’s another level of validation that gives us confidence in the development process,” said GM Sports Car Racing Program Manager Laura Wontrop Klauser.

Photos from Chevrolet

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