Corvette

The Grand Am Rolex Series’s 24 Hours at Daytona — 2012 preview

                         On the previous slide we talked about the Grand Am Continental Tire Series and its Friday’s 2.5 hour race. Now we are talking about The Grand Am Rolex series 24 hours at Daytona which starts Saturday, 1/28/12 at 2:30 pm live and on Speed.

There are two classes of cars race at the same time at a Rolex race, the DP – Daytona Prototypes and the GT – Grand Touring

The big news in the DP class are the new Corvette fashioned DP cars.  During the 2012 testing this new car seems to be very fast no matter what team were running it. Plus the Corvette car is so much better looking than the other DP cars.  The perennial DP team to beat is the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates / BMW Riley . There are also Ford and Proshe powered teams. Below are pictures of the new Gainsco DP car from this year and then last years last year car.

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing / Corvette DP  2012

 

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing  DP  2011

 

The GT competition is going to be great. There are a host of Ferrari 458s, Porsche GT3s, BMW M3s, Mazda RX-8s and Audi Sport AGs against a few Camaros, Mustangs, and one Corvette and one Viper. The big news is the arrival of the Grand Am GT purpose built Ferrari 458. If they don’t win it will be an embarrassment. The other news is that the sponsor for the Rick Ware Racing Camping World truck fell through. Jeffery Earnhardt, Dale’s grandson, was scheduled to drive that truck. so instead Jeffery will be the full time co-driver of the Rick Ware Racing Rolex Mustang GT Car team.

Below we have pictures of most of the AmericanCar teams.

Autohaus Motorsports Camaro

 

Stevenson Motorsports Camaro

 

 Rick Ware Racing Mustang

 

 Michael Baughman Racing Corvette

 

Racers Edge Motorsports Viper

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corvette

CARBON CERAMIC DISCS/ROTORS

Carbon ceramic rotors are here and will probably be on your car in the the next ten years. Why? Because carbon ceramic rotors are 50% lighter than the current cast iron rotors.  The weight reduction is huge because rotors are in the rolling assembly of your car. This means more performance and better mpg. Plus carbon ceramics just stop your car better than cast iron rotors. The down side is that righr now they are very, very expensive. I’m talking $15,000 for a set of four.

This high performance material is made from a special mixture of powders, resins and fibres in a complex manufacturing process. It was first developed for braking systems for aerospace applications.

Brembo SGL is currently the leading producer of carbon ceramic discs, and supplies these components for the most exclusive models of prestigious brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Corvette, Nissan, Lexus, Zonda, McLaren, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and AMG. All Formula 1 racing teams use Brembo SLG rotors. Brembo SLG is a joint venture between Brembo, one of the worlds current leaders of traditional breaking systems, and SLG, as in Mercedes.

The only AmericanCars I know of currently using carbon ceramic rotors are the Corvette ZR1,  Shebly Super Cars and Hennesy Venom.

The video is excellent. Take time to watch it.

Corvette

WHITNEY and the C6

Here we have Whitney with Corey Bales’ 2008 C6. The C6 has a grand total of 4,200 miles showing on the odometer. I am once again going to Wiki for details on the 2008 Corvette.

For the 2008 model, the Corvette received a new engine, the LS3. With displacement increased to 6.2 liters (376 cu in; 6162 cc),[4] power was increased to 430 hp (321 kW) at 5900 rpm and 424 lb·ft (575 N·m) of torque at 4600 rpm, or 436 hp (325 kW) and 428 lb·ft (580 N·m) with the optional vacuum actuated valve exhaust.[5] The previous Tremec T56 transmission on manual Corvettes was replaced with a new version, the TR6060, in model year 2008.[6] Manual Corvettes have improved shift linkage; the automatic model is set up for quicker shifts, and (according to Chevrolet) goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, faster than any other production automatic Corvette.[7] According to automotive review website New Car Test Drive, the Corvette’s 0 to 60 time is actually 4.2 seconds, faster than both the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Jaguar XK8.[8] From 2008 onward, steering was revised for improved feel and the wheels were updated to a new five-spoke design.[7]

Corvette

ERICA

Erica’s release form said she was at the show supporting her dad. Her dad didn’t have a car at the show but he was there. Apparently he was in the middle of bad engine rebuild and it was so bad Erica couldn’t remember everything that had gone wrong. With a daughter like Erica I’m sure things will turn out ok. Erica is from Marietta, Ga.

Corvette

MEGHAN and her ”DADDY’S” VETTE

 

I use DADDY only because that’s what Meghan calls her dad. I think it’s sweet. At the show I bet Meghan’s dad didn’t think Megan was so sweet at the show. Car show guy’s are more than meticulous about their cars. If you walk by their car they’ve got their rags out wiping the car because you might have touched it when they blinked their eyes. About the same time I asked Meghan if she would like to pose a judge started judging her dad’s car. As soon as Meghan got through with the release form, about two minutes , she went and jumped up on the hood of her dad’s Vette. I was stunned. I said in a shocked tone “Meghan you can’t do that” and she replied ”It’s ok it’s my DADDY’S car”. Meghan’s dad’s Vette was probably the nicest C3’s I’ve ever seen. It is a numbers matching , L-82 , 4-peed, car that he’s had for three years. Meghan and family are from Acworth, Ga.. where she is a student. Meghan was an absolute HOOT to work with. She overflowed with personality, enthusiasm, and looks.

Corvette

GARY’S 1966 4 SPEED, 472 C.I., 375 HP VETTE

This gorgeous Corvette is owned by Gary Hatters. from Kennesaw Ga.. Gary has owned the car for the past 25 years. He bought the car in 1972 for $11,000 and estimates the current value of $100,000. The car is all original including it’s Trophy Blue paint. Amazing!!