Torque 2024

[table of content]

An Exclusive Look Inside the 2024 Race Season at Virginia International Raceway

CORVETTE RACING GOES GLOBAL with Eight Z06 GT3.R Entries in 2024 | 8

TOMMY MILNER’S KEYS TO SUCCESS at VIRginia International Raceway | 14

Torque Magazine Volume 1 presented by Showcase Magazine Inc.

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VIR Set to Host Thrilling Weekend in August IMSA WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP | 17

MICHELIN’S DOMINANCE IN IMSA Driving Innovation, Performance, and Sustainability in Motorsports | 20

CORVETTE RACING GOES GLOBAL

with Eight Z06 GT3.R Entries in 2024

A very different Corvette Racing program will roll into Virginia International Raceway this summer. Or should we say program-S!

This year is the first for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R – the first racing Corvette designed to FIA GT3 rules for customer drivers and teams. After two years of the Corvette Racing factory team fielding two entries per year, there are a whopping eight competing on racetracks around the world in 2024. Five of them will race at VIR in the coming months:

• World Challenge America: DXDT

Racing – Bryan Sellers, Scott Smithson (No. 08 in Pro Am); Tommy Milner, Alec Udell (No. 63 in Pro)

• IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO: Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims (No. 3); Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg (No. 4)

• IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD: AWA – Orey Fidani, Matt Bell (No. 13)

Each Corvette Z06 GT3.R entrant will fall under the umbrella of Corvette Racing,

leveraging more than two decades of championship-winning experience and excellence

“I’m very excited about this new era of Corvette Racing with the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R and all that brings – customers and more Corvettes racing on the track,” said Milner, a Virginia native and resident. “It’s an exciting time for us as drivers and an exciting time for Corvette fans. As this team has shown for 25 years, what the Corvette Racing name means to sports car racing, to see more examples of Corvettes racing around the world is really exciting and something we

are looking forward to.”

Chassis engineering support will come from constructor Pratt Miller Engineering as well as GM’s Performance and Racing Center, which oversees the engine program for the Corvette GT3 car. Pratt Miller also will manage the Corvette Customer Support program for all Z06 GT3.R teams with full-service parts and engineering availability across all series.

The goal of the Z06 GT3.R is to continue the legacy of Corvette Racing across the United States and around the world. The

program owns one of sports car racing’s top pedigrees with victories in the biggest events and at the most famous tracks around the world.

From 1999 through 2023, Corvette Racing – operated by Pratt Miller Engineering – scored 127 race wins including nine at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and four in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Those victory led to 14 Manufacturers titles, 15 Drivers championships and 16 Team titles. No team in IMSA history has won more races or championships than Corvette Racing in that span.

Another impact of Corvette Racing is

the one it continues to have on Corvette production models. The transfer of technology between racing and Chevrolet showrooms has grown closer with each generation of racing Corvette since the late 1990s and the start of the factory race program. The relationship between the road-going Corvette Z06 and its road-going counterpart takes the transfer of learnings to a new level.

The Z06 GT3.R begins its life as an aluminum chassis frame from Chevrolet’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky. The frame provides

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a lightweight yet strong and durable underpinning for both Z06 and Z06 GT3.R. An aggressive aero package on the GT3.R borrows cues from production as the two vehicles share multiple surface elements including side air ducts behind the doors that help to cool the engine, transaxle and rear brakes.

The Z06 GT3.R engine is another masterpiece of tech transfer. The LT6 engine for the GT3.R originates from the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, the same line on which all production Corvette Z06 engines are built. The naturally aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane crankshaft V8 powerplant shares more than 80 percent of its parts with the production Z06 engine, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets and a variety of other sensors.

“The Corvette Z06 GT3.R breaks new ground for Chevrolet and the Corvette Racing program,” said Mark Stielow, director, GM Motorsports Engineering Competition. “This customer-focused

racecar leverages learnings from throughout Corvette Racing’s lengthy and successful history, plus the expertise of our Corvette production design, engineering and powertrain teams.”

TOMMY MILNER’S KEYS TO SUCCESS at VIRginia International Raceway

The Challenge: Ask Corvette Racing factory driver and Virginia’s own Tommy Milner the most important couple of corners that are key to a good lap and good result at Virginia International Raceway.

After a few minutes, it’s obvious that that are WAY more than a couple that fit the bill!

“This is a reason for a lot of drivers why VIR ends up being one of their favorite tracks – because there are so many sequences of corners and sections of the track that are all unique in their own way,” Milner explained. “They all present their own challenges, and it all culminates in the challenge of driving these cars and getting the most out of them. VIR is a playground for these racecars to do that for the whole lap.”

Since nailing down specific corners was nearly impossible, here are Milner’s top sequences for fans and also prospective drivers around VIR:

Turns Four through Six

Out of NASCAR Bend, a very technical but still flowing run of corners awaits on the run toward the Uphill Esses. It’s a place where car balance is mega-important, Milner advises, with compliance over the curbs and powerdown have to work together.

“It’s a place where if the car isn’t just right, you can have big moments,” he said. “Then you have the ability to pounce on somebody. It’s a fun sequence. The car is doing a lot of work. The tires are screaming for help. You’re using all the curbs there. It’s just a fun sequence of corners for a driver. And it’s a good

viewing area with a good passing opportunity going into Turn Four at that first left.”

Turn 10

Experienced drivers around VIR will know the pure thrill that comes with getting the Uphill Esses just right. Changing directions while going nearly or full-throttle is a daunting task in itself. But the job isn’t done out of Turn Nine, Milner believes. There’s still the matter of handling Turn 10 and the plunge down and to the left after the high-speed run toward the south end of the circuit.

“That might be my favorite sequence of corners in all of racing. It’s a lot of fun

there,” Milner said. “You’re asking a lot out of the car there at 10. You’re going up over the hill just before the left, and the front of the car oftentimes can get light. You have to brake and turn it back the other way. Having chassis control through there is everything. If the car is right, it’s a lot of fun. And if the car’s not right, it’s a handful. That’s a common theme with VIR. It typically rewards a brave driver and car balance.”

Roller Coaster and Hog Pen

A lap at VIR ends with the thrill ride of turns 15 through 17 – Roller Coaster and Hog Pen. With the track dropping away – as well as camber at the final corner –the end of the lap is the biggest setup for

the next time around.

“The final couple of corners down the Roller Coaster and the final righthander… that left-right sequence again rewards bravery,” Milner said. “You’re using a lot of curb on the entry. With our cars, you don’t brake much at all; there is some braking but it’s minor. It’s hard to initially trust yourself and the car early on in the weekend. That’s something that builds as the weekend goes on. You’re using all the road, the tire and the car capability to get that nice run on the straightaway. That’s really important for a passing opportunity in the first couple of corners.”

The exciting racing action of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is coming to VIRginia International Raceway this August. Make plans now to attend the weekend full of sports car racing from Aug. 23-25.

Four racing series sanctioned by IMSA will be on display, highlighted by the premier series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR race. The highly popular GT cars will compete in the twohour, 40-minute race on Sunday, Aug. 25. GT cars are based on some of the most popular road-going cars you see on your streets and highways every day but built to meet global GT3 racing technical regulations.

Eleven different preeminent auto manufacturers are involved in the GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes that will be at VIR – the most manufacturer participation of any sports car series in the world. They include Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.

IMSA racing has been a staple at VIRginia International Raceway annually since 2002. The picturesque 3.27-mile permanent road course is among the favorites for drivers and teams for its beauty, history, technical challenges and high-speed areas. Some of the greats of the sport have driven to victory at VIR,

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including all-time IMSA wins leader Bill Auberlen, Antonio Garcia, Scott Pruett, Wayne Taylor, Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin.

In addition to the WeatherTech Championship headliner, three other IMSA-sanctioned series are on the VIR calendar, assuring a nonstop weekend of racing action.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge conducts its two-hour race, the Virginia Is For Lovers Grand Prix, on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 24. Some 40 cars will

line up on the starting grid in two classes: Grand Sport (GS), which adheres to international GT4 homologation standards, and Touring Car (TCR). Between the two classes, another 11 auto manufacturers are represented.

The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will play host to two races at VIR, one each on Saturday and Sunday. This is a sprint series featuring Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) racers and GT4 cars competing at the same time in a pair of 45-minute races with no planned pit stops. It’s a vital training ground for drivers and teams aspiring to climb the ranks in IMSA.

Last but certainly not least on the schedule is the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin. This popular single-make series puts all drivers in identical Mazda MX-5 racers and produces some of the most compelling and competitive finishes anywhere. Be certain to catch one or both of the MX-5 Cup races, taking place on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend.

To learn more about IMSA and its stable of racing series, visit IMSA.com. For more information on VIR and to purchase tickets to the Michelin VT Challenge at VIR, visit virnow.com.

MICHELIN’S DOMINANCE IN IMSA Driving Innovation, Performance, and Sustainability in Motorsports

Michelin has been a dominant force in motorsports for over a century, and their involvement in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is a testament to its commitment to innovation and excellence in racing. IMSA, founded in 1969, is North America’s premier sports car racing organization, and Michelin has been the official tire supplier for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship since 2019.

Michelin’s involvement in IMSA is not just about branding; it’s about pushing the boundaries of tire technology and performance. The partnership with IMSA allows Michelin to showcase its latest tire innovations in one of the most demanding racing environments in the world. The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship features some of the most

prestigious endurance races in North America.

Michelin has enjoyed a strategic partnership with VIRginia International Raceway for more than a decade and served as the official tire and title sponsor of the Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International since 2017. Again in 2024, fans can enjoy this IMSA race the weekend of August 24-25. VIR is a unique setting that serves a broad region of enthusiasts and is often a signature location for tire and vehicle testing.

One of the key factors that make Michelin a dominant force in motorsports is their relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability. Michelin’s engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of tire technology, developing new compounds,

constructions, and tread designs to improve performance, durability, and safety.

Fans can get a glimpse of the latest technology within the GT class, which launched the new Michelin Pilot Sport Pro tire. This tire has been built with sustainability and performance in mind, with IMSA and Michelin set to reduce tire allocations by 17 percent in the 2024 season. This marks the first time a Michelin has introduced a new tire into an existing class since 2019.

Speaking to sustainability, Michelin has set itself a huge challenge. By 2050 all Michelin tires, which include motorsports, will be made solely from recycled or renewable biobased materials. During its in-use phase, an “all sustainable” tire is safer, more economical and longer lasting. In GTP and GTD classes, that means extending the time between fuel runs (stints) through the extended performance life of the tire. Michelin has reduced the tire allocation in successive years in classes run within IMSA to accelerate its performance and sustainability goals. By designing tires to multi-stint and reducing tire allocations across the board, it shows our commitment of innovating in sustainability by reducing waste and materials each IMSA race weekend in 2024.

Overall, Michelin’s involvement in IMSA has been a game-changer for sports car racing in North America. Their tire technology, innovation, and commitment to excellence have raised the bar for performance in the series, while also helping to drive forward the development of more sustainable racing solutions. As IMSA continues to grow in popularity and prestige, Michelin will undoubtedly remain a key partner, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in motorsports.