The History Of Team Corvette Racing Evolution | Corvette C5-R to C8.R

This is the first time making a documentary video of motorsports apart from my traditional regular car reviews.
Video Game Footage (Includes Video Sources From Footage)
Game: Assetto Corsa
Corvette Racing Team has taken part in sports car endurance racing in the last over 20 years across their four-gen Corvette racecars. It's the hallmark of North American endurance racing's longest-running history effort to this day by a contribution of Pratt & Miller Engineering pushing the development, performance, and popularity of Chevy's top-line race cars. Competing in major race events like the ALMS (American Le Mans Series 1999-2013) IMSA and 24 Hours Of Le Mans and has been successful racing for numerous years. Over the years, the competition has changed, the classes have changed, and the Corvette race cars have changed, but through it all, Corvette Racing’s winning attitude has never wavered and ultimately it has led to 120 victories worldwide including 8 Le Mans Class Wins.
00:00 Introduction
01:17 Corvette C5-R Review
06:29 Corvette C5-R Engine Sound
07:00 Corvette C6.R GT1 Review
09:47 Corvette C6.R GT2 (ZR1) Review
12:11 Corvette C6.R Engine Sound
13:20 Corvette C7.R Review
17:45 Corvette C7.R Engine Sound
18:40 Corvette C8.R Review
19:47 Engine Sound Comparison
20:28 Corvette C8.R Review
24:53 Outroduction

[@christheradar]

Here is a new and improved video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJvYhoateLSnm5Y

[@Chase40c]

If youve never been able to experience the C7R in person, you dont realize the violence it had. It shook your lungs and insides and made your ears ring. Truly a monster

[@Cuda202]

Agreed. I saw the C7R with my brother at Lime Rock and you would FEEL the power coursing through you. It was an amazing experience.

[@TheHomies5]

That’s means the Valkyrie arm pro is even worse 💀

[@ryanbrown918]

The C5.R and the early C6.R GT1 cars were by far the greatest sounding. A true 427 before the engines got neutered due to class changes and regulations.

[@375GTB]

Small block 265 CID V-8 of 1965... begat ALL the Chevy small blocks, thru 350CID.

[@stevereese9991]

Yes! The booming of the 7.0 liter would shake your organs. Great cars, great engines.

[@Prodriver33]

I seek out sound clips of those amazing 7l V8 noises for when I need a pick me up lol. I loooove the sound of those cars.

[@GOLD3NR1D3R]

I'm gonna be pissed if this video doesn't get a lot of views. C5, C6 & C7 era was the greatest for corvette IMO, can't choose one its very difficult to say.

[@christheradar]

I hope! And yeah I agree, those were the golden era of Corvette Racing!

[@houseking9211]

C6 for me, but that's because I grew up with it

[@josels1292]

Definitely I love all 3. But the C5 is special since I felt In love when it came out in 97 I was a junior in high school with an empty wallet so I could only dream. Thankfully I have a 2003 C5 in my garage now.

[@Toymonkeyjr]

c5-c6 for sure.

[@Toymonkeyjr]

@@josels1292 c5 definitely the best looking. Future classic.

[@TonyWolphagen]

Here after Corvettes 2023 Le Mans win 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@josuegtr1034]

It's such a shame that regulation changes killed the iconic monstrous sound of the Corvette for the C8

[@leonlawrencez28]

C5-R 2001 overall Rolex 24 winner 🏆!!!! Love my 2001 C5.

[@christheradar]

I love the C5-R too!

[@6lemans10]

RIP Dale Earnhardt.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

I’m extremely grateful and proud to be a Corvette fanatic!

[@haraldaeschbach4167]

Ich gehöre auch dazu!

[@xjserpent7665]

I’m glad to see the C8.R finally get to dominate in 2023 WEC season, even if it’s a different driver lineup than the usual Corvette drivers like Milner, Taylor, or Garcia.

[@byates59]

I've been a Corvette freak my whole life ( 63 years old )! Awesome video! Thanks!

[@christheradar]

Thanks for the support!

[@packerman1203]

Man, that c5.r video sounds the best in my opinion, downshifts especially, that driver knows what he's doing.

[@Ravenholm337]

I just love that C7.R so much. Especially the sound. Got to see it at Long Beach and it was just absolutely BRUTAL accelerating out of the final hairpin onto the front straight. Can't wait to see the pure GTD/Pro spec car.

[@OTM-BandiT]

So, imagine that sound and times it by like 5x more. That was the sound coming from the c6.r and c5.r. Insanely brutal. Loved the C7.R as well. Still had that crazy rumble, but didn't hit you as hard as the previous cars. C6.R GT1 before they modified the engine and other components for GT2 was my personal favorite. Clocked at 182mph (iirc) down the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans. Hope the C8 GT3 looks good. I saw a render of it early on. Just looks like the C8.R with different aero components. Still looked great though. Chevy never disappoints with their race cars imo. I'm sure it will be a popular gt3 car. Can't wait for chevy and ford to join gt3. There's going to be some HUGE grids out there. I'm pumped! We're heading into another golden era of endurance/ sports car racing with the new LMH/LMDH classes in WEC & IMSA along with the transition to all GT3 cars.

[@shipleyzimlich8032]

Did you know that Corvette first raced at Le mans in 1960! 3 Corvettes raced and one finished at the top of its class! Corvette first win at Le mans! They just won the 12 hours of sebring making that their 13th time to win at Sebring.

[@christheradar]

Yes, yes I did! Thanks for the info!

[@DallasTexasGT]

Corvette has never won Lemans.

[@vitreo1363]

Overall, they haven't won, but as the first comment said, they won in their class.

[@shipleyzimlich8032]

Lol 8 titles in its class

[@DallasTexasGT]

Ford is the only American manufacturer that has won the 24 hour of Lemans. They also won two more as an engine supplier.

[@markdupre4854]

Great video! I have to say that the C5R is my favorite. Dale Earnhardt was on that original team and brought a lot of recognition to Corvette racing.

[@chaselandry2962]

Both dale sr and jr were drivers for car 3 at 24h of daytona. The plan was for sr to transition into endurance from nascar but he died at daytona 500 a few weeks later.

[@divecolosio4988]

When it comes to cars, GT cars hits different than NASCAR that the former still retains majority of the unibody frame constructions, hence when you see a Race car Corvette side to side with it's road car form ones you'll notice that the race cars were so low to the ground than the road cars yet somehow the doors, windows and few other parts are still seems to interchangeable inbetween. Still inheritence that "You win on Sunday, You sell on Monday" vibe

[@jamesbyrd9514]

Thank you for this video. C5/6 is absolutely heavenly. No wonder they dominated, other drivers shut down when they heard these monsters lol

[@CamelSmokes23]

The C5-R will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@readmyusernamecauseitssoreally]

Idk what it is about the c6, but it is the exact image I picture when I think of the name Corvette. Thing looks ready to throw down, even if it's just base model.

[@stephenscisney7814]

Great video! My father worked at GM for over 30 years. I've always loved Corvettes. I finally got my 2007 Official Indy Pace Car Edition Back in February. And it's a 6 speed manual too! Keep up the good work.

[@christheradar]

Thank you for the support and that's really cool!

[@GTfour01]

Very well excecuted! I've had the great pleasure to have seen Corvette race at Le Mans, from 2000 to 2019. And at the 24hrs of Spa, with a win of my fellow Dutchman, Mike Hezemans in a C5-R. They are breathtakingly awesome racecars.

[@nicholascanjuga6000]

The c5.r and c6.r gt1 will always be my favorite gen of Corvette racers, I have to say I am infatuated by those pro drive 550's, great vid, love the project cars 2 music

[@christheradar]

Thank you!! It was a mix of Project Cars 1, 2, and GTR2 music. They really fit this video.

[@nicholascanjuga6000]

@@christheradar I want GTR2 so badly, no pc😥

[@christheradar]

@@nicholascanjuga6000 I hope you get one soon.👍

[@markdauray1522]

This was very interesting. I wish you would have given credit to Katech for building the awesome C5-R and LS7.R engines that powered the C5-R and C6.R Pratt and Miller Corvettes before Chevrolet accepted the bailout and started building their own engines.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

The new V8 sounds so much better to me. It’s a true super car sound.

[@2jzjesse]

Loved the video! I grew up watching the C6.R race at Mid-Ohio so it will always be my favorite. The C8.R doesn't quite hit the same but hearing them downshift in person does sound good. Just a different cup of tea I suppose. Just a show that times are changing. Glad they're highly competitive though! Keep up the good work

[@christheradar]

Thank you! ❤

[@houseking9211]

let's go, another mid ohio enjoyer, I watched the C6s as I was growing up too, I think the first race I went to was 06 or 07. My biggest gripe with the C8 is that it doesn't feel like a corvette, yeah they wanted to compete with ferrari when they came up with corvettes, but you can't build years on years of legacy, then completely ruin it and preform worse at the biggest race of the year. While acting like nothing is wrong.

[@marctownsend8798]

And one more for the mid-Ohio crew... I volunteered as a turn Marshall for 8 years and totally enjoyed the American v8 thunder going by at full song

[@gabeF40]

Instant follow, you are so underrated man... Love the project cars 2 music haha

[@christheradar]

You got it! Was waiting for that comment. Both PC1 and PC2 music fits this video.

[@6lemans10]

Your video just described my high school and college years. Ron Fellows was the most accomplished Corvette racing driver.

[@christheradar]

He did the initial testing and development with the Corvette C5-R and scored Corvette Racing’s first ALMS victory in September 2000 at Texas Motor Speedway, destroying Oreca Viper's winning streak. The Viper was Corvette Racing's nightmare before the Pro Drive Ferrari Team.

[@6lemans10]

@@christheradar Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger, Dominque Dupuy were legendary Oreca Viper drivers. Don't forget the fact Saleen gave Corvette a fit in early 2001.

[@christheradar]

@@6lemans10 I thought the Saleen debuted the S7.R race car for the 2002 season. But after I just did my research it first raced at Laguna Seca in 2000 in the ALMS event.

[@6lemans10]

@@christheradar The Saleens were it with severe weight penalties during 2002 and 2003 Le Mans 24 hours. To compete in the old GTS class, a manufacturer had to produce a certain number of cars. Without the extra weight, the Saleens were very fast, but fragile.

[@saleemwaheed9956]

I’ll never forget that duel at Road ATL in 05’! Pro Drive and Pratt & Miller went at it for 10 hours! At Lime Rock Park the same year, I was in the paddock, and didn’t know they were pushing the C5 behind me. When the driver lit her up, the sound made my hart stop, and I jump in every direction! Good times! Love the new Vette, but that C5 is a special car.

[@ItsElvis56]

Thank you for this awesome video. Always happy to see a 3 Chevy Corvette racing car. One can only wonder what Dale Earnhardt would have done with the program had he lived to invest into it.

[@QXZ9027MKII]

Top notch Sir, much obliged for the presentation, scintillating indeed. The Viper oreca, C6R & the C7R were my best looking GT Cars till this day. There is always a beauty factor with long nose hooded cars. There is a 10 min clip of the C6R battling the Porsche, that was one of the intense last 3 laps battle in motorsport. Edge of your seat, finger nail biting thrill.

[@chemicalspore]

I met Robin Pratt at a race at road atlanta. I was invited by Cadillac by Andy Pilgrim when he raced the CTS-V. Robin was such a delite to be around. You could tell they were very passionate in what they do for GM. Also met the man who designed the CTS.

[@thewarriorking210421]

My enjoyment of endurance racing began with the C5's entrance. I've been following Corvette Racing ever since.

[@bonniewatch8463]

Thanks really enjoyed your video. Been to a lot of races at Daytona. My favorite is the C8 R. Which I saw race at Daytona in 2020. Got my C8 in March of that year. Will get a C8 Z06 2023 since I’m on a wait list at Ciocca Chevy #396. Thanks again for you your exciting and accurate info on corvette racing.

[@lll9416]

10 class victories now at the 24!!

[@danielcgomez]

Thanks for this video! I have been following the Corvettes since '97 ..and I have several Models and memorabilia. Love the info in this video!

[@dennisschmitter7310]

Thank you for doing this!! Well done sir!

[@johnson3231]

Excellent video! I loved the graphics that you used, they added a ton to the viewing experience.

[@hb-ol9oc]

Great, great video !! Well done, congratulations.

[@LowCountryMack]

New to Corvette Racing. This video was a kick in the right direction for me. Very informative and just plain cool to watch. Thanks. 🏁

[@markatkinson9963]

2024 stands to be a pretty exciting season. Thanks for sharing.

[@Alexxx0128]

Great video!! Love the Corvette team. and I love the new C8R

[@RollingzokuMR2]

So, I'm gonna need more of these videos about numerous makes as it was quite detailed. I love stuff like this! Thank you!

[@christheradar]

Thank you very much I appreciate that! And for sure more videos like this are coming.

[@user-ph3fc8nc1u]

Corvette racing, I love you. This sound, this power, this body. Great!!!

[@isar.trainz]

I also want to mention the second Corvette racecar manufacturer besides Pratt&Miller: Callaway Competition, with their GT3-specced versions of the C6.R and C7.R, claiming huge success in ADAC GT Masters, competing in Asia too at races like the Suzuka 10 hours and having its first full US season in 2022 in GT America scoring consistent podium finished that season despite not managing to claim a race win yet. The C7-GT3.R is my fav GT3 car ever and it will be hard to see this beauty doing its farewell in 2023

[@zacharyparis]

Quality content right here!

[@psychlops924]

I got into the sportscar game a little late, so I’m probably biased, but the C7.R is my favorite. Such a beast, and the best looking one IMO. Plus it had a ton of on track success. I like the C8.R, but I do miss front engine Corvettes.

[@flexinclouds]

Great video! Very detailed & informative 👍

[@DroneStrike1776]

This is some great work. I hope this video blows up. This should be watched by Bow Tie fans. I'm a BMW fan and still enjoyed this video. C5R sound C7R for looks. I just love the long hood on the C7 over the mid engine C8. The long hood reminds me of the Panoz.

[@christheradar]

Thank you so much! FYI this video is already blowing up and has the most likes by far on my channel. Oh, and speaking of BMW, I will do a documentary video about BMW M Motorsport very soon.

[@christheradar]

Since you are a BMW M Fanatic, here is another documentary video that just drop a few minutes ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpW3e5t7qZyir9U

[@dr.butters8208]

Such a fantastic video, I love the Corvette race cars, been my dream car since I was a boy.

[@robertdavis5714]

How I use to enjoy hearing and seeing this car at Long Beach Grand Prix. So much so I currently own a Yellow C6.

[@sujjo]

Loving this history series. Especially for a new Sportscar fan like me (following endurance racing since 2021 only) I'm a big GT car fan I must say. But yeah the new era and boom of the Hypercar class is also got me really excited 🙂

[@rickintexas1584]

Great analysis. Thanks.

[@dannyhyde7019]

Very well done.

[@ketjoaterbang]

Love the vette and DBR9 rivalry,i think it's one of the best love story 🤣

[@beyond_the_infinite2098]

Excellent video. C7 is my fav.

[@robertray6328]

Great Video!!!!

[@christheradar]

Thanks for checking in. ❤

[@RichardCHudson]

Well Done!

[@landonsewell81]

I went to 2014 race at Monterey and to hear the C7 in person is awesome, your body shakes when this beast roars by

[@christheradar]

I wish I got to experience that IRL. Is the C7.R louder in person than it is in video compliations?

[@DesertZo6]

Love the video

[@JoshuaC923]

Always loved driving the C5R and the Viper in Grand turismo, such icons

[@workspilot.]

Well done.

[@_Dave_S]

Big fan of Corvette racing, so I really enjoyed this video. My personal favorite is the C7.R but I do like them all. I will be at Lime Rock in July to see them in person, can't wait!

[@christheradar]

One day, I will get to experience watching and hearing the Vette race in person. I'm closer to VIR than Lime Rock or Watkins Glen, but I am far away from VIR.

[@adrianprado7981]

holy dude nice viddddd

[@avalanche450]

This video deserves more views. I really liked it! From the Project Cars 2 soundtrack in the background, dope sound clips to hear the cars in action, real-life and video game footage of corvette generations, with narration on the team's history kept me watching. The C6.R is my favorite generation, the C5-R sounds insane, and the C7.R is my favorite in terms of looks.

[@TheTruthseeker707]

Good documentary.

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

That sound clip of the c5r does it no justice. Its soooo loud and there is so much bass to the sound of it, it shook the ground. Nothing like waking up to it camping next to track lol

[@mbukukanyau]

Corvette dominates Endurance racing. True to Chevrolets heritage, when team Chevrolet shows up at your series, it’s time to shut up and race. They don’t come to play games. Chevrolet is a serious performance brand.

[@christheradar]

💯💯

[@anthonyhunt701]

Great vid! New subscriber👊🏻

[@christheradar]

Thank you!

[@jimmykalashnikov]

dont usually comment but i have to say, i really enjoyed wathing this video, subbed!!

[@christheradar]

Thank you so much, it helps a lot!

[@luisjoseperalta9347]

This car has given the best race in the wec and insa corvete will always be respected by the Europeans a humble car I remember the race in Laguna seca battle with porch I remember in slogans in front of an Aston Martin

[@motorgearhead]

Nicely done. Enjoyed it. Got to go push the bottom & bring the LS7 to life now. Puts a big smile on my face every time. Love the borla sound with the windows down & a cold start cammed LS7. Yep gotta go! LS7S cam clip on my channel. Doesn’t sound as good as it does live but you’ll get the idea.

[@christheradar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gaddyify]

Love the C.8.R🔥🔥🔥

[@kermitfisk187]

This is real cool got to make a DVD I want one

[@christheradar]

Wym?

[@luisparsons3981]

Good vid this

[@musclecarmaniac6914]

I love the C6R so damn much! I always loved it since I got my HotWheels one when I was a kid.

[@alfredoacosta5600]

One thing I love is that the C5, C6, and C7R have been based on a road going Corvette but this time the Corvette C8 Z06 is based on the C8.R with a Z06 GT3 coming out later

[@horizonandsky8989]

I love This!! Video annnnd the Chevrolet Corvette C5 R!!!😍😍🇺🇲🇺🇲🔥🔥👏👏👍👍👍🏁🏁.This Sound is Music for me.

[@christheradar]

Glad you loved it!

[@375GTB]

Tampa native, Dave Heinz, Yellow C3 Corning Corvette Sebring 1969... Then later his #57 Stars & Bars car at Daytona, Sebring & Le Mans. Luigi Chinetti NART Ferrari Team, graciously / sportingly brought him with with their team to Le Mans Dave could never have afforded the freight.... GM backed John Greenwood's Corvette effort... A good race with the 365GTB/4s, that year... MANY good stories! Corvette sharing their ICE machine with all in the pits. Rented 2 more. All that were available in France. BLOODY HOT! The AMERICAN way! AJ's way, Andy G.'s... Gasoline Alley sharing.... The English "Garagistas" Lotus, Lola, BRM, Cooper F-1 1961 1965 Against The Old Man... The STP Way! PRIDE! Up against he dreaded HUNS! (-8D J.C.

[@camrsr5463]

My fave is the C-7R. that sound is just awesome. Next vid....how about the viper racing teams from ALMS and the N24

[@jacobbraun574]

I like that project cars 2 Music in the background

[@jacobbraun574]

What a good game

[@piedpiper1172]

I think the C8.R isn’t just the prettiest Corvette, but perhaps the prettiest GT car ever fielded. Also, having just watched the incar for most of the 24hrs Le Mans, I like the sound note.

[@joeshelton1077]

I am a diehard Corvette Racing fan, I like the C5, C6, C7, and C8, they all look like a winner to me.

[@waltvancourt5052]

My first gt race was 2019 at road atlanta when the C7R car ran it last race and the Ford GT's ended their gtlm imsa program. I been hooked big time ever since and have seen the rolex 24 and 12hs sebring, expect to be at road atlanta for 3rd time this year. Prototype/ Gt multi-class endurance racing is THE BEST !

[@killdaire7589]

Am I the only one who really loves the C8R, it looks like a true Lemans racer, plus the flatty V8 don't sound so bad either

[@christheradar]

I can assure you you're not the only one, I love the C8.R, just that some miss the earth-shaking and thunder sound of the cross-plane V8 in the prior Corvette racecars or because they dislike the overall design and don't considerate it a Vette.

[@killdaire7589]

@@christheradar believe me I also miss the roar of the C7R, that thing could make Satan quiver in his boots, but the C8 gives this atmospheric like sound that can lull you into a trance

[@coconutwater942]

I like how the forza motorsports 6 music is in the background, gives me a little nostalgia

[@samuelharding257]

I am a huge corvette guy! I own a C7 Z06 and it’s fantastic just how it is stock. I have plans to get a C5 Z06 to track etc and tune over time and build up to a C6 Z06 and do the same with that in the future. The C7 Z is an absolute monster but way too much for me to full out on a track so imma start small.

[@SubZ3ro907]

The C6 and C7 were, in my opinion, the greatest corvettes ever built. The C8 is a complete departure from corvette heritage but it is the future. I absolutly love the new design and performance. Kudos to Chevrolet for embracing the future and new ideas. I wonder how long it's going to take ford and dodge to come along and try and steal the spotlight with a mid engine mustang and charger?

[@paulguerrero972]

I just got back from the Bell Isle Grand Prix in Detroit and in the Legend historic race there were 2x P&M C5-R's. NOTHING sounds better than the Corvettes V8's!!!!!! And the C6R.....makes you go weak at the knees!!!!!!! 😎 Some of the best races were the C6R fighting against Aston Martin DB9's V12!!!!

[@jamesnoahandersonjr76]

I do admit that the older C5r ,C6r ,and c7r sound a lot better, but the C8r with a flat plane crank engine in a mid-engine car gives it a lot more potential for winning races now, not to mention with upgrades to the exhaust, the C8 Z06 Street edition will be a monster let alone, and we can't wait for the ZR1, that will be incredible. In drivability and power to ground .I predict it won't be beat or almost impossible to beat in a future C8r race version. Like you said a lot of people had their doubts about the C8 mid engine cars looks and sound, but that was a false misconception because they can't keep any on the lots ,and are waiting close to a year to get one built.

[@mohammadalfattal2902]

watching C6.R GT1 against MC12 in the FIA GT Championship was the best thing ever

[@haryosoo]

Oooh GTR2 menu music, niiice

[@christheradar]

GTR2, Project Cars 1 and 2 music. 07:00 - 12:10

[@ieatmentoss1714]

Massive nolstagia hit when the FM6 music started playing

[@christheradar]

The introduction and 22:46

[@747simmer4]

love the project cars 2 music

[@michaelbutkus4790]

The C7.R is my favorite corvette race car. They always stood out from the rest of field solely because of their sound. I've seen them many times at Long Beach and I loved hearing that roar they had over the squealing Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis

[@Loulovesspeed]

@Michael Butkus - I remember being at Lime Rock Park in 2019, the last year the Ford GT was raced by the factory team. I absolutely agree that the C7R had a great sound. I remember it coming on to the Sam Posey Straight and bellowing V8 power out of its exhausts, just as a comparatively quiet Ford GT V6 blew by it! The 2 GTs placed 1st and 3rd with the closest C7 in 5th. Great sounds don't win races.

[@lowercase.]

fantastic video, you know what you're talkin about lol. subbed, i feel that you're gonna go far :) if you want someone to get some higher quality AC footage, please let me know, i can help with that

[@christheradar]

Thank you for the support! And yeah I'm down.

[@lowercase.]

@@christheradar do you have discord? or an email?

[@christheradar]

@@lowercase. I have both. My discord name is @fuzzballnation#7082

[@TheRdub82]

C5.R for the win 🏆 🏁🔥

[@williewaset]

Really liked this! Thumbs up. For me, I would cut the animated race scenes. Good anyway!

[@manz7860]

C.6 was iconic

[@jorgeprieto2412]

C6R is my favorite!

[@StarChaser027]

6:45 the heartbeat of America 🇺🇸

[@DrFoo11]

The C5.R got me back in to racing