Corvette On Michelins in 04

[gttouring]

This is really odd- it didn't seem like Goodyear was struggling for a race tire for the vette's now they're gonna be on Michelins? is this wierd or what? not to mention that they will still use Goodyear on the production cars, what kind of message is this- Perhaps goodyear is spreading their racing resources too thin and want to focus on Nascar or something

http://www.americanlemans.com/storyA...s/120303gm.asp


he General Motors Chevrolet Corvette Racing program announces a new partnership with the Michelin Group, effective immediately. The tire manufacturer will provide technical assistance and full tire support for the Corvette C5-R in the American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

"We are excited about the developments we have in store for our Corvette C5-R in preparation for next season," said Harry Turner, GM's group manager for road racing. "On the heels of a third consecutive ALMS championship we do not plan to rest on our laurels. The addition of Michelin to our race effort is a big step in the right direction for next year and beyond. We're looking to improve all areas of the program to further the Corvette C5-R as the most successful race car in the 50-year history of the marque."

The new partnership will not affect Corvette's longtime relationship with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for production car sales. The next generation Corvette model, set to go on sale in 2005, will continue a strong relationship with Goodyear.

[slicktsax]

well it isn't weird actually goodyear hasn't lived up to the task to providing the vette team with tires equal to the michelins. remember at laguna secar this year the ferrari 550's lapped both vettes because the michelin tires had much better grip and the vettes were struggling for grip on their goodyear tires. also the vettes were not able to double stint their goodyear tires where the ferraris were able to double stint their michelins. michelins are known for having the best sports and gt car tires. look at the bentley's, they did 4 stints on one set of michelin tires so it's about time the vettes switiched to michelins

[RacingManiac]

Yeah, 4 stints on one set of Michelin at Le Mans was really amazing....Good Year doesn't lack grip but it certainly don't have the ability to do multiple stints....which is why Ferrari was so much better at Le Mans because they can really save up time for pit...

[The Badger]

Its going to be interesting to see how much quicker the C5R will be on french rubber , leting alone the fact that they will be able to do longer stints . Lets just hope that there will be at least one more C5R to take the fight to Ferrari next year .

Everything seems to be very serious from Corvette except for the fact that there are only two cars racing in GTS . They should run one in the LMES .....

[cybersdorf]

Originally posted by The Badger
They should run one in the LMES .....

Yes, for instance that Belgian one - I wonder where that went, could we see it out there next year...?? Update it to works spec, and...

but - who would Team Corvette want to support?

Another GM team?

Hmmm...

[almzkid]

IT is for sale in the latest autosport....want to pool the funds...I'm not sure how far my Cdn $$$ will take us though

[KA]

Originally posted by cybersdorf
Yes, for instance that Belgian one - I wonder where that went, could we see it out there next year...?? Update it to works spec, and...

but - who would Team Corvette want to support?

Another GM team?

Hmmm...

The Belgian 'Vette has been advertised in Autosport for the last few weeks- the ad doesn't seem to be in this week's issue- maybe they've got a buyer.....?

[almzkid]

It is really small and black and white...

[slicktsax]

yeah that's the one problem about GM they aren't selling any customer vettes, they've only sold one vette and the C5-R has been racing since 1999, pretty say when u think about it.