FIA World Endurance Championship Series

C8.R CORVETTE COPS CHAMPIONSHIP AT MONZA

Catsburg, Keating & Varrone C8.R CORVETTE COPS CHAMPIONSHIP AT MONZA, takes FIA World Endurance Championship GTE Am title.

Corvette Racing clinched the GTE Am Drivers and Teams titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship on Sunday with a fourth-place finish at the Six Hours of Monza (Italy) for the trio of Nicky Catsburg, Ben Keating and Nico Varrone. The No. 33 Corvette C8.R team finished ahead of its closest championship competitors to wrap up the program’s first title in WEC competition.

It’s been a dream season for Corvette Racing with three victories — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1000 Miles of Sebring and Six Hours Portimão — in addition to a runner-up finish at the Six Hours of Spa.

“Congratulations to Ben Keating, Nicky Catsburg and Nico Varrone on their championship in the first year for Corvette Racing in the World Endurance Championship’s GTE Am class,” said Mark Stielow, director, Chevrolet Motorsports Competition Engineering. “This was not an easy accomplishment despite the results this season. The strategy and execution by the entire Corvette Racing team — the drivers, the crew and the engineers — has been excellent throughout the season. This was a deep and competitive class and we are grateful that Corvette Racing has come out on top. It gives us great momentum going into the end of the season and 2024 when the Corvette Z06 GT3.R customer program arrives in WEC.”

There were a number of scenarios in play to clinch the title. The most straightforward options were to win or finish second Sunday, or place ahead of its two nearest challengers — the No. 25 TF Sport and No. 85 Iron Dames entries. The latter worked just fine.Keating set the tone for the Corvette team early. He started sixth but picked up spots on consecutive laps to run third prior to a safety car period at the 15-minute mark. The Corvette crew elected to bring the C8.R into pitlane for a fuel top-off. By the time Keating made his second stop at 80 minutes running, he had worked his way back up to second as the varying pit strategies came into view.

He gave way to Varrone just past the two-hour mark, but a rare in-race mistake meant the C8.R was called in for a drive-through penalty due to speeding in the pitlane. Varrone slid back to sixth but steadily worked his way back to the lead with strong pace and the pit stop cycle. By the time his driving time was complete just prior to the four-hour mark, the C8.R ran third but less than four seconds from the leader.

Catsburg drove the final 92 minutes but was unable to make in-roads to the podium finishers — all of which were from the same manufacturer and ran more than 100 pounds lighter than the Corvette. The C8.R carried 40 additional kilograms of “success ballast” in accordance with GTE Am sporting rules. That is due to the victory in the previous race at Le Mans, 10 kilograms for taking the runner-up spot at Spa (the race prior to Le Mans) and another 15 for leading the championship. In addition, the C8.R received 10 additional kilograms of pre-event weight from the series, making the Corvette 50 kilograms (110 pounds) heavier than how it began the season at Sebring.

The next round for Corvette Racing in the FIA WEC is the Six Hours of Fuji on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Photos: Richard Prince.

For more information about C8.R CORVETTE COPS CHAMPIONSHIP AT MONZA and Chevrolet Motorsports, please visit https://www.chevrolet.com/motorsports

CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS

Cadillac reveals the liveries for the three all-new CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS that will make their competition debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona this month.

The three distinctive designs represent the teams campaigning the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh, each with a different bold color from the Cadillac V-Series emblem.

“Cadillac is ready to compete against the very best in North America and internationally — including one of the world’s toughest races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey. “As Cadillac builds toward an all-electric future, the all-new V-LMDh furthers our dedication to exploring new advanced performance technologies.”

Cadillac Racing will be competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the No. 01 Cadillac Racing and No. 31 Whelen Engineering V-LMDh cars and in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the No. 2 Cadillac Racing V-LMDh. The three liveries share a V-Series graphic-and-color theme. Each car wears one of the primary colors of the V-Series logo, including No. 01 in gold, No. 2 in blue and red on the No. 31.

The CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS are powered by Cadillac’s all-new LMC55R 5.5L DOHC V-8 that’s paired with the LMDh common hybrid system. Developed in-house, the naturally aspirated racing engine is rated up to 670 horsepower, per series specifications, and is backed by a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

Co-developed by Cadillac Racing, Cadillac Design and Dallara, the final Cadillac V-LMDh design was influenced by the Project GTP Hypercar that debuted last summer. It incorporates distinctive Cadillac design elements such as vertical lighting and floating blades.

“From an aesthetic point of view, the LMDh regulations allowed us to create a vision for the car that is clearly Cadillac,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “And that’s really exciting for fans and for people who are true enthusiasts, every car is unique.”

Each Cadillac Racing driver contributed to the V-LMDh’s development. Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook will co-drive the No. 2 Cadillac V-LMDh in FIA WEC competition, including the centenary Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, where the car will compete as No. 02. The No. 2 is in homage to the first Cadillac entry at Le Mans in 1950, Briggs Cunningham’s “Le Monstre”.

Additionally, Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande will drive the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. They will be joined by six-time IndyCar champion and four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Scott Dixon for the 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims will drive the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Throughout the season they will be joined by Jack Aitken.

Cadillac’s expanded 2023 racing program builds on a long history of racing success. In fact, Cadillac is the only high-volume luxury American manufacturer to compete at Le Mans for the overall win since 1969.

The brand has competed since 2017 at the forefront of American sports car racing in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Before that, Cadillac Racing scored several wins in the Pirelli World Challenge. Recent highlights include:

Winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship three times: 2021, 2018 and 2017
Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona four consecutive times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup four consecutive times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Earning five Pirelli World Challenge Manufacturer Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2007 and 2005) and five Driver Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2005).

This rich history influenced the Project GTP Hypercar, which debuted in June 2022 and previewed the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh prototype race car. It is Cadillac’s third-generation prototype race car and represents the start of the fifth generation of the brand’s storied V-Series.

Since 2004, V-Series has embodied Cadillac’s commitment to performance, on and off the track. When it comes to road-going models, the lineup has grown recently to include the 2023 Escalade-V. It joined the CT4-V and CT5-V, along with the track-capable CT4-V Blackwing¹ and CT5-V Blackwing¹.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona kicks off a packed racing season that will see the trio of race cars continue to compete around the world. Following Daytona, Cadillac Racing will compete at the 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 17 with the No. 2 car, with the No. 01 and 31 competing in the Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 18.

¹Extremely limited availability

Check out video of 2023 CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAR3FBnFSeU

2023: CADILLAC GTP HYBRID HYPERCAR

Project GTP Hypercar previews the third-generation prototype racecar – 2023: CADILLAC GTP HYBRID HYPERCAR – from Cadillac.

In 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“Cadillac will be competing again on the world racing stage, and we are all thrilled to return to Le Mans after 20 years,” said Global Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey. “By competing in both the 2023 IMSA and WEC championships, Cadillac Racing has the opportunity to demonstrate its capability, craftsmanship and technology.”

Co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara, the 2023: CADILLAC GTP HYBRID HYPERCAR incorporates key brand design characteristics. Elements of the brand’s heritage such as vertical lighting and floating blades are present throughout and connect the racecar to the future of Cadillac.

“The Project GTP Hypercar is a unique convergence of form and function and showcases Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “We have plenty more to come, from the upcoming race car to amazing production vehicles.”

“Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honor,” said Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM sports car racing program manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally and in the world’s toughest race.”

Cadillac’s commitment to performance is embodied in the V-Series portfolio. Its recent expansion includes the CT4-V and CT5-V sedans, Escalade-V as well as the track-capable CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. The 2023: CADILLAC GTP HYBRID HYPERCAR will begin on-track testing this summer and first race at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2023.

Recent Cadillac Racing achievements include:

Winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship three times: 2021, 2018 and 2017

Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona four times in a row: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup four times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Prior to competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Cadillac competed in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship, earning five Manufacturer’s Championships (2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2005), and five Driver’s Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2005).

Check out this video @ https://media.cadillac.com/media/us/en/cadillac/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2022/jun/0609-cadillac.html

For information about the latest luxury & performance Cadillacs, please visit https://www.cadillac.com/