ALL EYES ON THE 2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R AT THE ROLEX 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA

The 2020 IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona is now in the history books. And for the very first time, the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R is now writing its own history. Although it was a treacherous 24 hours, starting in daylight, going around the clock through the night and finally ending up in the day again, it takes a toll on man and machine. It’s also the best way to test reliability and performance.

Those 24 hours of proving your mettle is also a chance to bring home some serious hardware at the end of the two trips around the clock. This year, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac Dpi-V.R. took home the top honors (Stainless and Gold Rolex Datejust Daytona Chronometers for each driver). It was the third win for the Cadillac prototype of Wayne Taylor Racing which is impressive in its own right.

It was the first time that the new mid-engined Corvette C8.R race cars would hit the track to run in anger against all comers. Powered by a 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V8, it produces 500 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, which is 10 horsepower and 10 lb-ft of torque more than the street versions of the C8 Corvette. And this is all done without the benefit of turbochargers in the engine compartment!

MANY CLASSES AND MANY IMPRESSIVE WINNERS

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is comprised of many classes and many impressive winners. Equally impressive was the win by BMW Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan and their BMW M8 GTE race cars. They managed to hold off a pair of brand new factory Porsche 911 RSR race cars, which finished in second and third place. Fourth was the brand new No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. Although finishing one lap down, it was a mostly trouble-free run that broke records for distance traveled, at 785 laps for a total of 2,794.6 miles. That’s the greatest distance for any Corvette entry in Rolex 24 history.

The No. 4 Corvette underwent multiple trials throughout the 24 hours, even requiring the engine to be removed in the garage area to repair an oil leak. Out of contention for nearly nine hours, the team persevered to finish near the back of the pack. But all was not lost as the team turned misfortune into valuable track time by evaluating tire settings and set up options for future races.

Racing truly does improve the breed. To learn more about these C8.R race cars or their road-going siblings, contact the Corvette experts at Napleton’s Chevrolet of Wayzata, today.