ULTIMATE CORVETTE

Tag: C8 Z06 GT3.R

  • The Pole That Predicted the Z06 GT3.R’s First IMSA Victory – July 13, 2024

    The Pole That Predicted the Z06 GT3.R’s First IMSA Victory – July 13, 2024

    ULTIMATE CORVETTE FACT OF THE DAY • JULY 13

    On July 13, 2024, Alexander Sims delivered a record-setting qualifying performance in the No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. His extraordinary lap did more than place Corvette Racing at the front of the GTD PRO field—it provided the clearest indication yet that Chevrolet’s new GT3 contender was ready to convert its considerable speed into a breakthrough victory.

    Less than 24 hours later, that prediction would become reality.

    A Record-Setting Lap at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

    The No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park as it crosses the start/finish line.
    On July 12, 2024, Alexander Sims delivered a blistering qualifying performance in the No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. His record-setting 1:14.373 lap secured the GTD PRO pole, shattered the previous class benchmark, and positioned Corvette Racing for its breakthrough victory the following day. (Image courtesy of IMSA)

    Qualifying for the 2024 Chevrolet Grand Prix took place on the fast, demanding 2.459-mile circuit traditionally known as Mosport. A brief interruption at the beginning of the 15-minute GT session added urgency, but Sims appeared completely unfazed once the track returned to green.

    Driving the No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Z06 GT3.R, Sims produced a succession of increasingly fast laps. He saved his best for the closing moments, recording a time of 1 minute, 14.373 seconds at an average speed of 119.027 mph.

    The lap secured the GTD PRO pole and broke Jack Hawksworth’s existing class record by 0.656 seconds—an enormous improvement in a form of racing where qualifying positions are often separated by hundredths or thousandths of a second. Sims also finished 0.267 seconds ahead of Hawksworth’s No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3, giving Corvette a decisive advantage at the head of the field.

    It was a spectacular demonstration of the driver’s commitment and the car’s capability. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is one of North America’s fastest road courses, rewarding aerodynamic stability, confidence through high-speed corners, and the ability to carry momentum without exceeding the narrow margin between a perfect lap and a costly mistake.

    On July 13, Sims and the new Corvette put every element together.

    A New Kind of Corvette Race Car

    The No. 3 and No. 4 C8 Z06 GT3.R Corvettes of the Pratt Miller Motorsports Racing program.
    Developed jointly by Chevrolet and Pratt Miller Motorsports, the 2024 Corvette Z06 GT3.R marked Corvette Racing’s transition into the global GT3 era. Built around the C8’s mid-engine architecture, it used a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V8 derived from the production Z06 and was engineered to compete in major sports-car championships worldwide. Pratt Miller campaigned two factory-supported entries in IMSA’s GTD PRO class, while customer teams expanded Corvette’s presence internationally. The result was a purpose-built racer that preserved Corvette’s production-car connection while opening an entirely new chapter in the program’s competition history. (Image courtesy of Pratt Miller Motorsports)

    The significance of the pole extended well beyond a single qualifying session. The Z06 GT3.R was still in its first season of international competition and was making its first appearance at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

    Unlike the factory-focused C8.R it replaced, the Z06 GT3.R was developed to comply with international GT3 regulations and to be sold to professional and amateur customer teams competing in racing series worldwide. It represented a major change in Chevrolet’s motorsports strategy and the beginning of a new era for Corvette Racing.

    The race car retained a meaningful connection to the road-going Corvette Z06. Its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter, double-overhead-cam V8 used a flat-plane crankshaft architecture derived from the production LT6 engine. Chevrolet stated that more than 70 percent of the racing engine’s components were shared with the production Z06 powerplant, including its crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets, and numerous sensors.

    The Z06 GT3.R also employed a six-speed sequential racing transaxle, lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork developed in the wind tunnel, and a motorsports-specific double-wishbone suspension. It was unmistakably a purpose-built racing machine, but one closely connected to the engineering and identity of the production C8 Corvette Z06.

    Speed Without the Breakthrough

    With Alexander Sims shown here leading the field during qualifying, the image captures the moment Corvette Racing finally translated its pace into a statement lap at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. In the races leading up to CTMP, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R had already shown flashes of front-running speed and even collected earlier pole positions, but the team had struggled to turn that raw pace into a complete race-winning performance. Sims’ record-setting qualifying run in the No. 3 Corvette demonstrated just how far the program had come in a short time. More importantly, it signaled that Corvette Racing was no longer just fast—it was ready to contend for the breakthrough victory that had been building all season. (Image courtesy of IMSA)

    By the time Corvette Racing arrived in Canada, the Z06 GT3.R had already demonstrated considerable qualifying speed. Nicky Catsburg had earned a GTD PRO pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and Antonio García had placed the No. 3 Corvette on pole for the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic in Detroit.

    Results, however, had not consistently reflected the car’s pace.

    As is common during the first season of an entirely new racing platform, Corvette Racing encountered a combination of bad luck, operational challenges, and new-car reliability issues. Both Pratt Miller entries had reached the podium, but neither had secured the Z06 GT3.R’s first IMSA victory. Through the opening half of the season, third place remained the best race result achieved by either factory Corvette.

    That history gave Sims’ record-setting Canadian lap greater importance. It was not merely another pole position. It showed that the team’s development work was producing measurable gains and that the Z06 GT3.R could establish the pace at one of the most demanding circuits on the IMSA calendar.

    The remaining question was whether Corvette Racing could finally convert that speed into a complete race weekend.

    From Record-Setting Pole to Historic Victory

    On July 14, 2024, Antonio García and Alexander Sims delivered a landmark victory for Corvette Racing at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, converting Sims’ record-setting pole into the first IMSA win for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The No. 3 Corvette led 109 of 113 laps and capped the breakthrough with a dramatic Corvette 1-2 finish in GTD PRO. It was the moment the new GT3-era Corvette officially announced itself as a winner. (Image courtesy of IMSA)

    On July 14, 2024, Alexander Sims and Antonio García provided the answer.

    Starting from pole, the No. 3 Corvette dominated the GTD PRO portion of the Chevrolet Grand Prix. Sims controlled the opening half of the race before turning the car over to García, who maintained Corvette’s advantage through the closing stages.

    Together, they led 109 of the race’s 113 laps and survived a late full-course caution that erased García’s comfortable lead. After the final restart, García held off the sister No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg, winning by just 0.408 seconds.

    The result delivered the first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship victory for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R—and Corvette Racing made the occasion even more significant by finishing first and second in GTD PRO.

    It was also Corvette Racing’s 13th IMSA victory at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, adding another chapter to the program’s exceptional record at the historic Canadian circuit.

    The Lap That Announced Corvette’s Arrival

    Alexander Sims celebrates after securing the GTD PRO pole at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on July 13, 2024. His record-setting lap in the No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R shattered the previous class benchmark and set the stage for Corvette Racing’s breakthrough victory the following day. (Image courtesy of IMSA)

    In retrospect, Sims’ qualifying performance on July 13 was the moment the weekend changed from promising to historic. His lap established a new GTD PRO record, secured the best possible starting position, and demonstrated that the Z06 GT3.R possessed the speed necessary to lead the class.

    The following day confirmed that the new Corvette also had the reliability, execution, and race pace needed to win.

    Every major racing program has a moment when potential becomes proof. For the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in IMSA competition, that moment began with Alexander Sims’ record-setting lap at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

    What is your favorite qualifying performance in Corvette Racing history? Tell us below—and let us know where Sims’ record-breaking lap ranks among the program’s greatest single-lap achievements.

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    Alexander Sims’ record-setting Corvette lap at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park did more than secure pole position—it announced the arrival of the new Z06 GT3.R. Set on July 13, 2024, the blistering run foreshadowed Corvette Racing’s breakthrough victory less than 24 hours later. Here’s how one qualifying lap changed the weekend.

  • Corvette Racing Names Andrea Hidalgo Named PGM for the 2026 Season

    Corvette Racing Names Andrea Hidalgo Named PGM for the 2026 Season

    Corvette Racing has appointed Andrea Hidalgo as its new Program Manager, a pivotal leadership role within the storied Chevrolet motorsport organization, as the 2026 racing season gets underway. Hidalgo steps into the position at one of the sport’s most critical junctures — just days before the Roar Before the 24 and the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona — as Corvette continues its evolution in global GT competition.

    The announcement, confirmed by both IMSA.com and RACER, marks a significant internal promotion for Hidalgo, who has spent the better part of two decades advancing through technical and racing-oriented engineering roles at General Motors and within the Corvette racing ecosystem.

    A long-time GM engineer and Corvette specialist, Andrea Hidalgo brings deep technical and competitive experience to the program manager post. Before her promotion, she served as Senior Race Engine Calibration, Development, and Track Support Engineer for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R program at GM’s Performance and Racing Center, a role that saw her deeply involved in engine calibration and customer team support for GT3 competition.

    In that capacity, Hidalgo supported Corvette customer teams like TF Sport in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the past two seasons, as well as in select European Le Mans Series (ELMS) events in 2025, providing a blend of on-site engineering acumen and program-level strategic execution.

    Her responsibilities included not only calibration and development but also helping implement controls strategies — work that was important as Corvette customer programs worked toward meeting evolving FIA GT3 engine regulations worldwide.

    Andrea Hidalgo brings a deeply technical, engineer-driven perspective to her role as Program Manager for Corvette Racing. With years of hands-on experience supporting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R program—spanning engine calibration, trackside development, and customer racing operations—Hidalgo represents the modern evolution of Corvette Racing leadership: rooted in data, shaped by competition, and focused on execution. Her appointment signals General Motors’ continued emphasis on technical continuity and engineering excellence as Corvette competes on the global GT3 stage.
    Andrea Hidalgo brings a deeply technical, engineer-driven perspective to her role as Program Manager for Corvette Racing. With years of hands-on experience supporting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R program—spanning engine calibration, trackside development, and customer racing operations—Hidalgo represents the modern evolution of Corvette Racing leadership: rooted in data, shaped by competition, and focused on execution. Her appointment signals General Motors’ continued emphasis on technical continuity and engineering excellence as Corvette competes on the global GT3 stage.

    Before ascending to her most recent engineering leadership roles, Hidalgo spent multiple seasons embedded within the factory Corvette Racing program, particularly during the C8.R era, contributing across myriad technical disciplines. Her résumé extends back to 2008, when she first joined General Motors as an intern and subsequently became part of GM’s production engineering team in 2010 — laying the foundation for her later motorsports work.

    Her technical expertise spans a broad engineering portfolio, including combustion, drivability, aftertreatment, diagnostic systems, and transmission development, a diverse skill set that has anchored her progression through increasingly complex roles at GM.

    Academically, Hidalgo is grounded in rigorous mechanical engineering training: she holds a Master of Engineering in Global Manufacturing and Automotive Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Stony Brook University in New York. During her undergraduate years, she was an active member of the Stony Brook Motorsports SAE Baja team — an early indicator of her sustained commitment to motorsports engineering.

    Her new leadership role comes amid organizational turnover within the broader Corvette Racing program. Hidalgo replaces Jessica Dane, who departed General Motors earlier in January 2026. Reports from multiple outlets note that Corvette Racing has now seen three different program managers in as many years, reflecting broader shifts within GM Motorsports leadership over the past several seasons.

    The 2026 IMSA season roars to life next weekend at Daytona International Speedway, where the world’s top sports car teams converge for the Roar Before the 24 and the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona. As the first true test of the new season, Daytona sets the tone with equal parts speed, endurance, and unpredictability—demanding precision from cars, crews, and drivers alike. Under the lights and over 24 relentless hours, reputations are forged, weaknesses are exposed, and championship ambitions begin their long march forward. For Corvette Racing and its rivals, Daytona isn’t just the opener—it’s the proving ground.
    The 2026 IMSA season roars to life next weekend at Daytona International Speedway, where the world’s top sports car teams converge for the Roar Before the 24 and the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona. As the first true test of the new season, Daytona sets the tone with equal parts speed, endurance, and unpredictability—demanding precision from cars, crews, and drivers alike. Under the lights and over 24 relentless hours, reputations are forged, weaknesses are exposed, and championship ambitions begin their long march forward. For Corvette Racing and its rivals, Daytona isn’t just the opener—it’s the proving ground.

    Dane, who joined GM in 2024 after relocating from Australia, had been instrumental in expanding Corvette Racing’s GT3 presence on the global stage before her exit, including strategic involvement in expanding the program to major international events such as the Bathurst 12 Hour.

    Hidalgo’s first official assignment as Program Manager will be overseeing Corvette Racing’s campaign at the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 24–25, a marquee endurance race that serves as the season opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

    Corvette’s program manager position is pivotal, combining managerial oversight with close technical interaction across engineering, strategy, and race operations. Past program managers, such as Doug Fehan — who led the team through much of its earlier success — helped shape Corvette’s legacy in endurance racing, including multiple overall and class victories at Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans.

    Hidalgo’s appointment signals Corvette Racing’s intent to maintain technical continuity and competitive rigor as it continues to navigate the complex demands of GT3 competition globally. Her combination of trackside experience, engineering depth, and institutional knowledge could prove integral as Corvette competes against a deep field of international manufacturers in 2026 and beyond.

    Sources:

    IMSA.com — “Andrea Hidalgo Appointed as Corvette Racing Program Manager.”

    RACER — “Corvette Racing appoints Hidalgo as Program Manager.”

    Sportscar365 — “Hidalgo Replaces Dane as Corvette Program Manager.”

    V8Sleuth — “Jess Dane leaves General Motors.”

    MidEngineCorvetteForum — Corvette historical context on program managers.

    Corvette Racing has appointed Andrea Hidalgo as its new Program Manager, a pivotal leadership role within the storied Chevrolet motorsport organization, as the 2026 racing season gets underway. Hidalgo steps into the position at one of the sport’s most critical junctures — just days before the Roar Before the 24 and the iconic Rolex 24…