Michigan-based Pratt Miller Engineering group—the only service provider Corvette Racing has known since its formation in 1998—confirmed Friday it will continue fielding the team, which comes as a welcome development.
After three decades of engagement between GM and PME, some aspects of the relationship have been subject to a reduction in 2023, leading to speculation whether Corvette Racing would be part of a growing initiative where GM’s racing activities are being developed and run in-house, but in a nod to the future, GM’s longtime service provider will be featured in the team’s name, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports.
The two-car initiative is set for IMSA’s GTD Pro category in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, returning to a familiar dual campaign after recently downsizing to a single-car in recent years with a complementary single-car effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship. That effort won the GTE-Am class earlier this month at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its Corvette C8.R.
A global change to GT regulations in IMSA and the WEC brings an end to Corvette’s tenure campaigning bespoke versions of its C5, C6, C7, and C8 models in GT1, GT2, and GTE specification. In aligning with IMSA’s move to all-GT3-based cars for its GTD Pro and GTD (Pro-Am) classes, the WEC will adopt the same GT3 specifications for its GT racing in 2024, and as such, Corvette Racing and PME will compete with its first full GT3-derived version of the C8.
Aimed at customer racing and sales to privateer teams, the team will use and race against the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R model; customer sales have already taken place, and on the factory racing side, drivers will be confirmed for its IMSA GTD Pro team in due course.
“Chevrolet and Pratt Miller have collaborated for more than 25 years on the Corvette Racing program, and we are thrilled that we are able to continue together into the GT3 era,” said Christie Bagne, Corvette Z06 GT3.R Program Manager.
“It makes sense to have Corvette Racing with Pratt Miller Motorsports lead the competition element of the Z06 GT3.R program in the GTD PRO championship starting in 2024. We couldn’t have a better representative than the same group that has been part of the development, build, and testing processes for our new Corvette racecar. The learnings we will take from testing and competition will flow to our other Z06 GT3.R customer teams to ensure that the Corvette brand is a championship contender around the world.”
Keyword: Corvette Racing to Return With Pratt Miller Engineering-Led GTD Pro Program