CHEVROLET UNVEILS TWO UNIQUE '08 CORVETTE INDY 500 PACE CARS
Two-time Indy 500 Champion Emerson Fittipaldi to Drive Corvette Z06 E85
Concept Pace Car at 92nd Indianapolis 500
INDIANAPOLIS - Known for their charismatic designs and superior
performance, the pack-leading pace cars share a special place in
Indianapolis 500 lore. History will be made at the 2008 Indianapolis 500
when a pair of distinctive yet highly differentiated Corvette models will
serve as the official pace cars - one highlighting Chevrolet's commitment
to fuel solutions and the other marking 30 years of Corvette's pace car
heritage.
Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials gathered at the
Indianapolis Auto Show to make the historic announcement.
One of the pace cars is a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept that runs
on E85 ethanol fuel, a domestically produced alternative fuel similar to
the E100 fuel that powers all of the racecars in the IndyCar Series. It
will be driven during the race's pace lap by two-time Indianapolis 500
champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
The other official pace car is a black-and-silver commemorative edition
that marks the 30th anniversary of the celebrated 1978 pace car - the
first Corvette to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet will
produce a total of 500 pace car replicas in both coupe and convertible
form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette's Bowling
Green, Ky., assembly plant.
"Although not a production FlexFuel vehicle, the Corvette Z06 E85 concept
pace car is a high-performance example of Chevrolet's gas-friendly to
gas-free initiative, demonstrating viable fuel solutions," said Ed Peper,
Chevrolet general manager. "As an ethanol refiner in his native Brazil,
Emerson Fittipaldi is the fitting Chevrolet champion to help support GM's
efforts with E85 and celebrate 30 years of the Corvette pacing the
Indianapolis 500."
The 92nd Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. It will be
the Corvette's 10th appearance as the official pace car - a record
unmatched by any other vehicle.
"It's only fitting that Corvette will be the first car to earn the
distinction of having two models pace the Indianapolis 500 in the same
year," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and
chief operating officer. "Chevrolet and Corvette are a vital part of the
rich history of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,' and we're honored to
have a great champion of the race and of alternative fuels, Emerson
Fittipaldi, as this year's pace car driver."
Corvette Z06 E85 concept
The Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is based on the production Z06 -
already one of the fastest and most powerful cars on the market - and
blends its performance with the high-octane, renewable alternative fuel
that is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States.
E85 is blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Its benefits
include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and a reduced dependence on
petroleum. GM is the leader in E85 production models, with more than 2.5
million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road - with more on the
way. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.
Apart from the fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required
to run E85, the Z06 concept pace car is mechanically stock. It is
distinguished by a unique Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint scheme
that changes between hues of green and gold when viewed from different
angles and in different light. A subtle checkered flag pattern also is
part of the paint scheme. Safety equipment and strobe lights are the only
other equipment added to the car.
Emerson Fittipaldi: ambassador of racing and ethanol
After winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 while driving for
Chevrolet - and spending 30 years in his native Brazil as a refiner of
ethanol - Emerson Fittipaldi is the perfect ambassador to lead the
Indianapolis 500 in an E85-powered Corvette Z06.
"Most of the vehicles in Brazil are powered by ethanol produced from
crops grown in the country, so I understand how a domestically produced
renewable fuel can help the energy solutions of a nation," Fittipaldi
said. "And the E85-powered Z06 concept pace car proves economic and
environmental consciousness can be fun and exhilarating. I can't wait to
get it on the racetrack."
Fittipaldi, whose personal cars include a Corvette Z06 and a Camaro
awarded after winning the 1993 Indianapolis 500, resides in both Florida
and Brazil. He has interests in several Brazilian ethanol companies and
is an ardent champion of ethanol as a viable alternative to gasoline.
Brazil - the fifth-largest country in the world - is a global leader in
ethanol usage in automobiles. Approximately 70 percent of Brazilian new
cars are equipped with FlexFuel systems that allow the use of a
gasoline/ethanol mix or pure ethanol. Ethanol production has grown
tremendously during the last three decades and has allowed the country to
practically wean itself completely from imported oil.
30th Anniversary commemorative edition
Commemorating one of the most recognizable Indianapolis 500 pace cars,
the Corvette 30th Anniversary Pace Car features a black exterior with
silver graphics that honors the 1978 model - the production replicas of
which became instant collectibles and continue to stand as an iconic
symbol of Corvette's heritage at the front of the Indy field.
In addition to the exterior color scheme, the anniversary models are
equipped with a special, two-tone titanium-color interior, with the
Indianapolis 500 logo embroidered on the seats. Coupe and convertible
models are available. Each replica will be personally signed and numbered
by Emerson Fittipaldi.
Both the coupe and convertible come equipped with Corvette's 3LT option
package, Z51 performance package and dual-mode exhaust. Additional
features include:
* Choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic
transmissions
* LS3 small block V8 with 436 hp
* New-for-2008 forged chrome five-spoke aluminum wheels
* Corvette Z06 rear spoiler
* Silver checkered flag graphics
* Indy 500 logo fender badges
Corvette at Indy
The 2008 edition of the Indianapolis 500 represents Corvette's 10th time
as the official pace car - and a record fifth-consecutive year - and
Chevrolet's 19th time as the manufacturer selected to lead the field.
Corvette's pace years and details include:
* 1978 - Driven by 1960 race winner Jim Rathmann; Chevrolet produced
6,502 production replicas
* 1986 - Driven by famed pilot Chuck Yeager; all 7,315 production
convertibles were considered pace car convertibles and included official
graphics (to be installed at the owner's discretion)
* 1995 - Driven by then Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins; 527
production replicas produced
* 1998 - Driven by 1963 race winner Parnelli Jones when an injury
prevented golfer Greg Norman from performing the duty; 1,158 production
replicas produced
* 2002 - Driven by actor Jim Caviezel; no production replicas produced
but graphics were available through SPO - approximately 300 sets sold
* 2004 - Driven by actor Morgan Freeman; no production replicas produced
* 2005 - Driven by General Colin Powell; no production replicas produced
* 2006 - Driven by cycling champion Lance Armstrong; first Corvette Z06
pace car; no production replicas produced
* 2007 - Driven by actor Patrick Dempsey; 500 production replicas - all
convertibles
* 2008 - Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi; 500 production replicas - coup es
and convertibles
The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day spectator sporting event
and the most prestigious auto race in the world. "The Greatest Spectacle
in Racing" has been run every year since 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, except for the periods during the United States' participation
in world wars in 1917-18 and 1942-45. The winner of the 92nd Indianapolis
500 will earn racing immortality, a spot on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy
and a record winner's purse of at least $2.5 million.
-credit: gm/ims
