Technical Notes
Corvette Racing will have two new C6.R race cars, chassis Nos. 5 and 6, at this event.
"The new cars are virtually identical to last year's chassis, with some minor improvements for durability, reliability, and serviceability," said Wesoloski. "We've also worked on the engines to enhance reliability and fuel economy.
"This year we are running 10 percent ethanol under the ALMS regulations, but we've been prepared to run fuel with ethanol content for some time," he noted. "When we raced at Infineon Raceway in 2004, California regulations required ethanol as an additive, so all of the race cars' fuel lines and seals were already compatible with gasoline/ethanol fuel. The maximum fuel capacity has been reduced from 100 liters to 90 liters, but we ran several events last year with 90 liters under the performance balancing regulations, so we're well prepared for that."
ADVERTISEMENT
Cool Moves
Another technical innovation finds the Corvette C6.R race cars equipped with new air conditioning systems in 2007. The ACO (Le Mans) organizers recommended air conditioning in closed cars after searing heat at Le Mans in 2005.
"All the credit goes to the GM engineers who develop air conditioning systems for production vehicles," said Wesoloski. "For several years we used a purpose-built a/c unit to provide cool air for the drivers to breathe. Now we have a full production-style air conditioner with a compressor and condenser that cools not only the driver's helmet and seat but also the entire cockpit.
"Under the ACO regulations, running a full air conditioning system allows us to run slightly larger intake air restrictors to make up for the power that's used to run the system," he explained. "We're using a 31.3 mm diameter restrictors with air conditioning; the restrictor size would be 30.8 mm without it."