Corvette C5R

Corvette C5R pilotado por Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins e Oliver Gavin nas 24h de Le Mans de 2003 (segundo lugar na classe GTS). Kit Revell na escala 1/24. With the appearance of the Corvette C5, General Motors dedided to set up a works team and take part in all sports car races throughout the world, but primarily in the prestigious Le Mans 24 hour races. This was a break with the procedure, as the Corvette racing programme was not supported by the works. So General Motors was convinced of the potential of the C5 and in 1998 commissioned the firm Pratt & Miller Engineering, with their headquarters in the US state of Michigan, to develop a racing car similar to the production version in order to take part in the GT races from 1999. Although based on the road car, the racing car has some differences. In order to reduce the weight high tech materials such as carbon fibre were used. The specially developed racing chassis was only similar to that of the C5 in a rudimentary way. Roll bars, the firewall directly behind the driver's seat, as well as the large diffuser and striking rear wings were special racing sports features. At the front were conspicuous permanent headlamps and large apertures in the bonnet. In 1999 the Corvette C5R made its motor sports deput. After passable results in the early season, the first class win and clear improvements to the final results in the following year indicated the potential of the car. In 2001 a win in the GTS class including a spetacular double win in the Le Mans 24 hour race were achieved. In 2002 the GTS class win and the double success at Le Mans were even repeated. In 2003 the Corvette racing team has some class wins in the American Le Mans Series, including the 12 hour race at Sebring and by the year end they had taken the constructor's title. The quality of the coordination and preparation by Pratt & Miller Racing was shown by the so-called 50th anniversary edition - the first Corvette had been made in 1953 - in the dark blue livery, also at Le Mans. The team of drivers Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins and Oliver Gavin secured second place in the GTS class. The C5, one of the most successful GT cars in racing history, is powered by a 610hp 7 litre V8 engine. The Corvette is credited with a top speed of 365 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Revell kit at 1/24th scale.