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Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.
Corvette factory team in 2009?
- Thread starter VertC5
- Start date
shakedown067
Sinister C4
So far it sounds like a go, but there won't be any definitive answers until the season is over. Depending on the competition they may only run the endurance races Sebring, LeMan, Petite Leman. I think there is a very good chance this year or next will be Team Corvettes last but they have been saying the program was going to end for about three years now. Hopefully they can keep find funds to keep on racing. I really hope to be able to see Johnny O capture another class win at Sebring in a Corvette. :thumbsup"
shakedown067
Sinister C4
I emailed Johnny O and "hinted" about the probability of an '09 season. I doubt he'll say anything cause we went though this last year too, but if I hear anything I'll certainly post it up. They do use the racing program as a testing ground for the production cars so as long as they find it a viable use of funds they'll continue the program. The C6 generation design has a lot to do with the C5-R program so hopefully they'll at least continue till the C7 comes out.
Found this at jayski.com:
GM cuts could hit all levels of racing: Nothing at GM is off-limits-including its high-profile NASCAR program - company executives warned as the automaker went public Tuesday in Detroit with its latest round of cost-cutting measures. With the auto industry in North America taking a beating, GM racing director Mark Kent said that every level of motorsports that GM supports-from the giant stock-car racing series NASCAR to the grassroots Sports Car Club of America-is being evaluated. GM also competes in the NHRA, USAC midgets/sprints and the American Le Mans Series. "Racing is not exempt (from cuts)," Kent said last week. "We are looking at ways to be even more efficient ... looking to see if they are genuinely positioned for a positive return on investment." Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, added: Motorsports "have not gone without scrutiny. I'm not going to get into specifics about NASCAR. But there will be modifications-changes in our marketing footprint-in this area." GM's NASCAR program, which has enjoyed great success and supports 12 Chevy teams, is under review, as is all of the racing GM supports, Kent said. "NASCAR, SCCA club racing-we are looking at where we need to be." Funding a championship-winning team such as Chevy's Hendrick Motorsports and drivers of the caliber of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. costs GM at least $30 million a year.(The Oylmpian)(7-16-2008)
GM cuts could hit all levels of racing: Nothing at GM is off-limits-including its high-profile NASCAR program - company executives warned as the automaker went public Tuesday in Detroit with its latest round of cost-cutting measures. With the auto industry in North America taking a beating, GM racing director Mark Kent said that every level of motorsports that GM supports-from the giant stock-car racing series NASCAR to the grassroots Sports Car Club of America-is being evaluated. GM also competes in the NHRA, USAC midgets/sprints and the American Le Mans Series. "Racing is not exempt (from cuts)," Kent said last week. "We are looking at ways to be even more efficient ... looking to see if they are genuinely positioned for a positive return on investment." Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, added: Motorsports "have not gone without scrutiny. I'm not going to get into specifics about NASCAR. But there will be modifications-changes in our marketing footprint-in this area." GM's NASCAR program, which has enjoyed great success and supports 12 Chevy teams, is under review, as is all of the racing GM supports, Kent said. "NASCAR, SCCA club racing-we are looking at where we need to be." Funding a championship-winning team such as Chevy's Hendrick Motorsports and drivers of the caliber of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. costs GM at least $30 million a year.(The Oylmpian)(7-16-2008)
shakedown067
Sinister C4
Great info...I certainly can't see where GM could make up the money spent on NASCAR (how many monte carlos can your really sell?), but the Corvette Program I've heard is more of a Research and Development for the production car so hopefully it's considered a positive return on investment. :thumbsup: Keep your fingers crossed boys.
Updates on my other post from jayski.com
UPDATE: Troubled General Motors has notified two racetracks that run NASCAR events that their current contracts will not be renewed as part of an overall $10 billion cost-cutting program. That seems to be just the first step in what could be a huge drop in support by GM, Ford and Chrysler for tracks and teams in NASCAR's top three professional divisions, the NHRA and other racing series in the face of the weakest U.S. auto sales in a decade. Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns eight tracks that hold NASCAR events, already has been told GM will not renew contracts at two tracks - New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. GM has contracts with 12 of the 22 tracks where NASCAR's top Sprint Cup series races and is the title sponsor for the fall race at Richmond International Raceway. GM also is the official vehicle provider for Daytona International Speedway, owned by International Speedway Corp., and a track spokesman said they have not been notified of any impending change.(Associated Press/CNNMoney.com)
AND: Richmond International Raceway is not one of the two tracks [having contracts not renewed]. GM is the title sponsor for the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup race at RIR -- The Chevy Rock and Roll 400. Aimee Turner, spokeswoman for RIR, said Wednesday that Chevy's partnership with the track runs through 2010. That deal includes not only naming rights for the September race, but also Chevy's status as the official vehicle of the track.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(7-17-2008) Comment here
UPDATE: Troubled General Motors has notified two racetracks that run NASCAR events that their current contracts will not be renewed as part of an overall $10 billion cost-cutting program. That seems to be just the first step in what could be a huge drop in support by GM, Ford and Chrysler for tracks and teams in NASCAR's top three professional divisions, the NHRA and other racing series in the face of the weakest U.S. auto sales in a decade. Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns eight tracks that hold NASCAR events, already has been told GM will not renew contracts at two tracks - New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. GM has contracts with 12 of the 22 tracks where NASCAR's top Sprint Cup series races and is the title sponsor for the fall race at Richmond International Raceway. GM also is the official vehicle provider for Daytona International Speedway, owned by International Speedway Corp., and a track spokesman said they have not been notified of any impending change.(Associated Press/CNNMoney.com)
AND: Richmond International Raceway is not one of the two tracks [having contracts not renewed]. GM is the title sponsor for the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup race at RIR -- The Chevy Rock and Roll 400. Aimee Turner, spokeswoman for RIR, said Wednesday that Chevy's partnership with the track runs through 2010. That deal includes not only naming rights for the September race, but also Chevy's status as the official vehicle of the track.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(7-17-2008) Comment here
shakedown067
Sinister C4
johnny says everyone at corvette racing has their fingers crossed. They think with the amount invested in the team it wouldn't make much since to kill the team now, but it sounds like we won't know till after the season ends.
From the BBV's website:
Corvette will race for at least the next 2 years...in some form or another.
[Don't ask what we know or how we know it. And we admit there is 'educated trust' at play as decisions are always subject to....'the next decision'].
But for now, a 'steady hand' for Corvette Racing is the current plan. Budget-cutting logic would suggest NASCAR $$ will get a look.
That Corvette has GM's highest brand equity, that Corvette Racing IS the Corvette marketing budget, that there are GM'ers with real auto passion in their veins still in their employ....
......all adds up to Corvette Racing 'continuation'.
* GT1?, GT2?, EVO?, ALMS full seasons / partial seasons?, Le Mans road trips? ....the details are TBD. But, the first hurdle ['go' or 'no go'] is being cleared.
Then again, maybe Wagoner's hand gesture is simply explaining his new GM Racing mandate. "NASCAR has their templates, so do I. From this moment forward, only GM race cars that can pass under my hand will get funding."
....and that's the REAL reason Corvette tested lower ride heights @ Le Mans!
Corvette will race for at least the next 2 years...in some form or another.
[Don't ask what we know or how we know it. And we admit there is 'educated trust' at play as decisions are always subject to....'the next decision'].
But for now, a 'steady hand' for Corvette Racing is the current plan. Budget-cutting logic would suggest NASCAR $$ will get a look.
That Corvette has GM's highest brand equity, that Corvette Racing IS the Corvette marketing budget, that there are GM'ers with real auto passion in their veins still in their employ....
......all adds up to Corvette Racing 'continuation'.
* GT1?, GT2?, EVO?, ALMS full seasons / partial seasons?, Le Mans road trips? ....the details are TBD. But, the first hurdle ['go' or 'no go'] is being cleared.
Then again, maybe Wagoner's hand gesture is simply explaining his new GM Racing mandate. "NASCAR has their templates, so do I. From this moment forward, only GM race cars that can pass under my hand will get funding."
....and that's the REAL reason Corvette tested lower ride heights @ Le Mans!