Corvette C6R in Europe next season

[FIRE]

GLPK-Carsport has ordered 2 C6R's. If they really get 2 cars that's another story.


According some websites (i.e. www.italiaracing.net) German DTM team Phoenix is interested in running a Corvette in FIA GT next season:

Il team tedesco Phoenix, che con il ritiro della Opel dal DTM e l'intenzione della Casa tedesca di non vendere le Vectra a squadre private, è praticamente rimasto senza lavoro, sta cercando alternative. La più interessante è quella di gestire una Corvette C6-R semi ufficiale nel campionato FIA GT del 2006.

Translated with Babelfish:

The Phoenix team in lists for one Corvettes C6-R The German team Phoenix, than with the withdrawal of Opel from the DTM and the intention of the German House not to sell the Vectra to private squares, is practically remained without job, is trying alternatives. The more interesting is that one than to manage one official Corvettes C6-R seeds in championship FIA GT of 2006.

Maybe GLPK-Carsport and Phoenix both 1 C6R?

[TWK]

Whomever offered GM the most cash.

[Foster]

Since Opel is a GM product. I can see this Phoenix effort coming about.

[FIRE]

Sorry for starting this new topic, I think this discussion is belongs to FIAGT 2006 - Announcements, Rumours and Speculations.


Maybe the "rumours and facts 2006 season" topics for of FIA GT, ALMS and LMES (sorry LMS ) can made sticky like the Le Mans topic?

[Graham Goodwin]

TWK is correct - You can't "order a C6.R"

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

TWK is correct - You can't "order a C6.R"

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by Foster

Since Opel is a GM product. I can see this Phoenix effort coming about.

But GLPK has the backing of the european Corvette importer. What Phoenix is to Opel, is GLPK to Corvette Europe. So I think from that point of view (also considering they're putting Corvette down as a new premium brand) I think Hezemans has a bigger chance than Phoenix.

[Fogelhund]

Changed my mind on what I posted. Hopefully the lucky person to get these cars will race them somewhere.

[TWK]

To clarify, the disposition of these cars (and also some C5-R chassis) is being managed by GM's "Asset Recovery" department. What that means is that there is a corporate process to ensure that assets get the greatest return for the Corporation. The procedure here entails sealed bids, long since submitted. The decision at that point is an economic one made by folks outside the racing team.

[David]

To clarify, the disposition of these cars (and also some C5-R chassis) is being managed by GM's "Asset Recovery" department.

Help me catch up on the discussion please, TKW. By "these cars" I assume you are talking about C6R-001 and C6R-002, the two cars that were campaigned during 2005 and are being replaced, as noted in this November 1, 2005 press release from Corvette Racing :

"Corvette Racing's championship-winning C6.Rs will be replaced by two new cars for the 2006 campaign that begins at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 18."

Further to the point that only "used" Corvettes are available, I was surprised by the statement by Mr Goodwin that new cars being built specifically as customer cars has been ruled out:

TWK is correct - You can't "order a C6.R"

There is precedent for the Corvette Race team building a new car (or cars) for a customer, specifically, when I visited Pratt & Miller on September 14, 2001, I photographed C5R-006 and C5R-007 being built for the highly publicized "Atomic Kitten Racing" team:



That deal, somewhat predictably in my opinion, fell through. However, C5R-007 was never raced by Corvette Racing but was eventually sold to SRT for Belcar:



Is there new information that rules out Corvette Racing building a C6.R customer car? Or are you saying, Graham, that GM doesn't take orders in the same way, for example, Aston Martin does?

Thanks,

[TWK]

To answer the above, they will "take orders," but for an amount that GM believes amortizes their investment. It's kind of like that friend we all have who wants to sell things for original cost, plus whatever repair and upkeep costs incured since. Of course, well above market value.