Design and development of the Z06 GT3.R was a collaboration between GM's Competition Motorsports Engineering division and Pratt Miller Engineering. The car made its public debut at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Its competition debut is scheduled for the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona, opening the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The Z06 GT3.R will also be eligible for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as it moves to the global GT3 platform in 2024.
The Z06 GT3.R underwent a two-year testing program, with virtual simulation beginning in early 2021. The first on-track test occurred in September 2022, allowing for a full year of on-track development before customer deliveries in the third quarter of 2023.
The Z06 GT3.R leverages technology transfer between racing and production, sharing more components and features with the production Z06 than previous race cars. It starts with an aluminum chassis frame from Chevrolet's Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky. A purpose-built steel roll cage is welded onto a base plate, which is secured to the chassis at Pratt Miller in Michigan.
The car features a double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear, the same configuration as the production Z06, promoting adjustability and fitment of racing-specific tire sizes. Motorsports engineers added race springs and dampers, competition-specific rotors, calipers, and pads. The Z06 GT3.R rides on 18-inch front and rear wheels, consistent with the Corvette C8.R.
Advanced aerodynamic strategies link the road-going Corvette and its GT3 counterpart. Engineers worked with the GM Design Studio to develop an aero package for optimal downforce, stability, drag reduction, and cooling. Similar carbon fiber splitters provide downforce at the front. A new carbon fiber diffuser routes air from the front to the rear for overall stability. A new-for-2024 wing aids airflow and creates downforce for enhanced cornering. Aggressive ducting cools internal components, with front intakes for brakes and a large hood opening to extract air over the radiator. Side air ducts behind the doors, inspired by the production Z06, cool the engine, transaxle, and rear brakes.
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R is powered by a 5.5L, flat-plane crankshaft DOHC V-8 engine derived from the production Corvette Z06. This engine began on-track development in 2019 with initial testing of the Corvette C8.R. The LT6 engine for the GT3.R originates from the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, the same line where all production Corvette Z06 engines are built. The 5.5L powerplant shares over 70 percent of its parts with the production Z06 engine, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, and gaskets. The engine produces between 500 and 600 horsepower and is paired with a 6-speed sequential motorsport transaxle.
Chevrolet and Pratt Miller incorporated several safety features, building on the construction of the Corvette C8.R. The Z06 GT3.R includes a side-impact crash structure between the driver's side door and roll cage, pioneered in the Corvette C7.R. This box features an outer casing of carbon fiber and Kevlar, filled with an aluminum honeycomb construction. The integrated steel roll cage is slightly modified from the current racing Corvette for easier ingress and egress.
Chevrolet and Corvette Racing are establishing a comprehensive customer support program for teams running the Z06 GT3.R globally. This includes an at-track parts truck at North American race events starting in 2024, with overseas support expanding in the first two years. Full spares packages of bodywork and internal components will be available. Technical support will include pre-race documentation, chassis setup, data sharing, post-event documentation, data analysis, and remote engineering and operations support. Optional incremental support includes full engineering and race strategy.
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