The future of Corvette

ss_collins · 14 Sep 2007, 12:21 (Ref:2012632)

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/c...notebook_7.htm (see the last two paras)

The guys at Pratt & Miller are gagging to go for an overall win at Le Mans it seems, wonder what that means for the GT1 project, they also seem keen to do the Indy 500 but not with the current regs.

So what the sfuture of GM/Corvette in sportscar racing?

**Aysedasi** · 14 Sep 2007, 12:23 (Ref:2012637)

I'd love to see them up in the Protos.

Zytek_Fan · 14 Sep 2007, 14:13 (Ref:2012761)

So they want to revive the Cadillac programme? Hmm...

**FIRE** · 14 Sep 2007, 19:03 (Ref:2013049)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/c...notebook_7.htm (see the last two paras)

Quote:

My first project at Pratt & Miller was actually an OEM Sporstcar program for which we were contracted to do Vehicle Dynamics CAE.

Was this the Cadillac LMP900? I didn't know P&M was involved in this project.

JAG · 14 Sep 2007, 19:38 (Ref:2013067)

It's P&M who want a P1 program, I guess current discussions are to get GM onboard.

jhansen · 14 Sep 2007, 19:53 (Ref:2013077)

Pratt and Miller are first class all the way. If they can get GM on board it could/would be a much better effort than the Caddy program.

Pilgrimage · 17 Sep 2007, 15:58 (Ref:2015856)

New entries in the top class has to be good news especially with the P&M boys behind it.
Hopefully we'll see the Prodrive guys doing battle against them there too!

Is it out of the question that they'll both run both classes?

AU N EGL · 17 Sep 2007, 16:10 (Ref:2015872)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Was this the Cadillac LMP900? I didn't know P&M was involved in this project.

That was a Reily & Scott Chassie / project.

Fogelhund · 17 Sep 2007, 16:25 (Ref:2015893)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

That was a Reily & Scott Chassie / project.

The first chassis was a Riley & Scott chassis/project, but the second was a Nigel Stroud designed car.

2000 - http://www.mulsannescorner.com/cadillac.htm Riley & Scott design
2001 - http://www.mulsannescorner.com/cadillaclmp01.html - R&S, mod's by Stroud
2002 - http://www.mulsannescorner.com/cadillaclmp02.html - Stroud cleansheet

The Badger · 17 Sep 2007, 16:34 (Ref:2015901)

They were 3 beuatiful chassis .....

Wayne Taylor wanted to keep running the Stroud car when the plug was pulled but wasnt let , that was a shame too . They later turned up in a dealers window !!!

If GM go the LMP route i hope they see it through , but if they do , I suspect they will this time .

We need a bit more interest from American manufacturers in the future . If the ALMS was to rely on american manufacturers , we would have 2 C6R to put on a show .

jhansen · 17 Sep 2007, 16:39 (Ref:2015907)

The big difference this time is Pratt and Miller. IF GM decide to go the LMP route, and they use Pratt and Miller, it is a much better recipe for success. Not to mention, they learned a lot of 'what not to do' from the last program.

HORNDAWG · 17 Sep 2007, 17:45 (Ref:2015972)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrimage

New entries in the top class has to be good news especially with the P&M boys behind it.
Hopefully we'll see the Prodrive guys doing battle against them there too!

Is it out of the question that they'll both run both classes?

At Corvette Racing, I think that will not happen. The possibility of a Cadillac and Corvette team running at the same time in "LM" racing IMO is possible but (?). Added to the juxtaposition is the rumors of Cadillac not returning to the SWC next year. So at this point does Corvette Racing get into GT-2 as a constructor and see if this becomes the top class of GT when the new 2010 rule set roles around, and support LAA as a semi-works in the LMS while running just selected races in the ALMS in 08. Thus maybe setting up a Corvette / Cadillac duo, one in LM"X"-1(?) and the other able to transition easily into the top GT class for the 2010 rule set?

L.P.

ss_collins · 17 Sep 2007, 19:31 (Ref:2016082)

Only the P&M lack... composites. They would need to team up with Riley/Elan/Dallara or similar

ger80 · 17 Sep 2007, 19:38 (Ref:2016088)

There are enough composite companies, e.g. all the aircraft suppliers

ss_collins · 17 Sep 2007, 19:50 (Ref:2016106)

Not so true racecar composites are a bit more specialised...

that why you rarely see a chassis built by a non motorsport firm - the Radical is the only example I can think of.

David · 18 Sep 2007, 02:48 (Ref:2016383)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

The big difference this time is Pratt and Miller. IF GM decide to go the LMP route, and they use Pratt and Miller, it is a much better recipe for success. Not to mention, they learned a lot of 'what not to do' from the last program.

...and Pratt & Miller certainly learned from this long ago program:

Name those kid drivers!

Much more HERE.

Zytek_Fan · 18 Sep 2007, 03:53 (Ref:2016398)

I see Ronny Fellows!

edit: nevermind it's Wayne Taylor.
The first guy is Tom Kendall.

AU N EGL · 18 Sep 2007, 16:49 (Ref:2017113)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

Only the P&M lack... composites. They would need to team up with Riley/Elan/Dallara or similar

P&M work with a composite body manufacture out of Indianapolis, which makes the Corvette C6.r bodies for them.

HORNDAWG · 18 Sep 2007, 19:06 (Ref:2017272)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

P&M work with a composite body manufacture out of Indianapolis, which makes the Corvette C6.r bodies for them.

Is that Prototype Development (?), as I know GM uses them for other composite work. Which is Mark Scott's company after the Riley & Scott sell off to Reynard. an aside; Which I believe is now Riley Technologies LLC (G.A. Proto).

L.P.

sportycar · 18 Sep 2007, 22:09 (Ref:2017471)

As for P&M being able to build their own composite chassis - no worries, mate! They have become very secretive of their stuff, build most all their own propriatary items in house from drivetrain to suspension bits and only "farm out" what they probably don't feel is as secretive. Soooo...yeah, when they go upstream w/ a Prototype program, don't expect them to need to look outside that huge facility in New Hudson. They have upwards of 150 employees to keep busy and the latest/greatest equipment to build race cars! Plus...keeping the GM monies, they would have access to their proving/testing grounds and wind tunnels.

jhansen · 18 Sep 2007, 23:39 (Ref:2017501)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportycar

As for P&M being able to build their own composite chassis - no worries, mate! They have become very secretive of their stuff, build most all their own propriatary items in house from drivetrain to suspension bits and only "farm out" what they probably don't feel is as secretive. Soooo...yeah, when they go upstream w/ a Prototype program, don't expect them to need to look outside that huge facility in New Hudson. They have upwards of 150 employees to keep busy and the latest/greatest equipment to build race cars! Plus...keeping the GM monies, they would have access to their proving/testing grounds and wind tunnels.

Outsourcing is not a bad thing. Audi does it quite effectively, including the chassis tubs and gearboxes for the R10 and formerly the R8.

And btw, welcome to Ten Tenths sportycar.

Zytek_Fan · 19 Sep 2007, 00:18 (Ref:2017518)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

Outsourcing is not a bad thing. Audi does it quite effectively, including the chassis tubs and gearboxes for the R10 and formerly the R8.

And btw, welcome to Ten Tenths sportycar.

Yep. The tubs are built by Dallara. Not sure who does the gearboxes now...is it Hewland or Ricardo?

knighty · 19 Sep 2007, 00:37 (Ref:2017522)

I was reading about the 7 litre pushrod motor developed for the corvette by Katech.......my god, what an engine.......and I nearly fell off my seat when I read they have trimmed it down to 135Kg!.....thats the same as a V10 Judd.......they are using the V8 as a semi stressed chassis member already, with a billet sump that also acts as the main bearing caps, its such a nice package.......if they trim it down to 6 litres, they will have the basis of a very nice LMP1 motor.......it should be capable of 650bhp and the 800Nm that would be the ideal no-compromise LMP1 motor.......the long stroke and low revs would be great for huge torque, fuel economy and reduced friction......this is why the corvette went so well

AU N EGL · 19 Sep 2007, 11:45 (Ref:2017838)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighty

I was reading about the 7 litre pushrod motor developed for the corvette by Katech.......my god, what an engine.......and I nearly fell off my seat when I read they have trimmed it down to 135Kg!.....thats the same as a V10 Judd.......they are using the V8 as a semi stressed chassis member already, with a billet sump that also acts as the main bearing caps, its such a nice package.......if they trim it down to 6 litres, they will have the basis of a very nice LMP1 motor.......it should be capable of 650bhp and the 800Nm that would be the ideal no-compromise LMP1 motor.......the long stroke and low revs would be great for huge torque, fuel economy and reduced friction......this is why the corvette went so well

More then that. The current LS7.r Corvette motor without air restrictors is esstimated, but not tested by the builder, to put out close to 900 bhp. Many hot rod shops have taken the LS2 ( 6.0l) not race shops but also not backyard mechanics have porduced low 600 bhps.

gwyllion · 19 Sep 2007, 14:26 (Ref:2017969)

@AU N EGL: the number given by knighty assume the current LMP1 air restrictors

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