LAS VEGAS (November 4,
1998) - The latest addition to
Chevrolet’s fifth- generation
family of C5 Corvettes, the Hardtop, is slated to pace an
international field of world-class
sports cars at Daytona International Speedway’s famed road
course for the Rolex 24
Hours at Daytona endurance race on Saturday and Sunday, January
30- 31, 1999.
The C5 Corvette Hardtop is the first fixed-roof ‘Vette
offered since the legendary
second generation Sting Rays of the 1963-67 era.
"The Hardtop looks fast just standing still, with its
classic lines and dynamic
custom paint scheme," said Gary Claudio, Chevrolet Race Shop
manager.
Corvette’s Hardtop comes standard with a 345-horsepower,
5.7-liter V8
LS1 aluminum block engine, a six-speed manual transmission
(automatic transmission not available), a 3.42 limited-slip rear
axle
ratio, the Z51 suspension package, designed for sanctioned racing
competition,
and Goodyear Eagle F1 GS run-flat tires.
"Basically the only things we added to the car were chrome
wheels, a custom
Corsa exhaust system, and a 360-degree strobe light
package,"
said Jon Moss, manager, Chevrolet Specialty Vehicles.
"The car is that good."
International Speedway Corporation’s vice president of
marketing,
Greg Sullivan, welcomes Corvette’s world-class image to
Daytona with open arms.
"Partnerships like this demonstrate a serious commitment to
our fans to
bring our sport to the next level by welcoming premier sponsors
like Chevrolet," stated Sullivan.
Corvette’s decision to become the official pace car of the
Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona is a key component of Chevrolet’s
strategy
to reinforce Corvette’s image as "America’s
Performance Icon." Jim
Campbell, Corvette brand manager, is responsible for developing
this strategy,
and he’s the guiding force behind Corvette’s return to
the racetrack.
The pace car announcement follows Corvette’s unveiling of
the newly
developed "C5-R" racing machine, which is based on the
C5 Coupe production Corvette
and built to GT2 specs. The C5-R Corvette is slated to enter
endurance racing
competition in North America in 1999.