michelinalley.com News from Michelin Motorsport - Corvette 2014

Nowhere to Everywhere THE STORY BEHIND CORVETTE AND MICHELIN hat was once a podium by a stunning 10-lap, 85-mile significant role it played in Corvette mile-wide gap has margin. Racing’s renewed success, an 2 disappeared and By season’s end, the Corvette Racing opportunity opened for Michelin to become a bridge team was determined to become a compete and win the fitment on as Corvette Racing Michelin technical partner. the 2009 Corvette Wand Michelin went from strangers to “That first big test at Sebring with ZR1, the fastest, most powerful exclusive relationships and technical Michelin opened a lot of eyes,” said production car ever produced partnerships on both track and street in Ron Fellows, then the Corvette Racing by GM. the past decade. factory team lead driver. That led to the next stage. Despite strong motorsport heritage “We not only went three seconds a With the Corvette Racing and long records of great success, lap faster, the MICHELIN® tires hooked team and the Corvette ZR1 Corvette and Michelin were on opposite up so much quicker on acceleration development team both sides of the paddock at the races and on that it initially created some driveline working in close collaboration the street. issues for us, which was a good thing!” with Michelin, the relationship soon Corvette factory teams had never The Corvette Racing team became a virtuous circle or flywheel raced with Michelin and no new immediately changed to MICHELIN with the racing team at the hub. Corvette had ever rolled off the line tires and went on to reclaim its Just as Corvette Racing draws upon wearing a Michelin fitment. title at Le Mans and capture the the General Motors technical experts That changed after the 2003 2004 in powertrain, chassis, suspension, running of the championship. electronics and aerodynamics, when a Michelin-fitted beat As key insiders at General Motors Michelin, the global leader in tire the defending champions Corvette became increasingly aware of the technology, embeds a tire engineer Racing to the top spot of the GT class MICHELIN tire technology and the with each of its Le Mans technical Michelin & Corvette partner teams to capture extensive in the Twelve Hours of Sebring and the MICHELIN® Pilot® Sport Cup ZP, data and insights on tire and chassis five at Petit Le Mans. Those wins led a street-legal, track-ready tire, for performance as well as subjective to seven sets of ALMS driver, team, the 2011 Corvette Z06 and ZR1 with 3 feedback from drivers and team and manufacturer championships, optional handling packages. engineers. including 2012 and 2013. Today, every new C7 Corvette rolls With top GM and Corvette One of the keys to the Corvette – off the line in Bowling Green fitted Racing team engineers, Michelin technical partnership is that exclusively with MICHELIN® Pilot® championship winning the collaboration does not stop at the Super Sport® ZP tire combinations for drivers and aggressive pit gate. the 2014 Corvette Stingray and 2014 testing, Michelin gains In fact, the lead Michelin race tire Corvette Stingray with Z51 performance deep insights into the engineer with Corvette Racing, Lee package and the Z06. technical and cultural side of Willard, is also the lead development “This is a truly historic partnership Corvette and feeds it all into the engineer for the Michelin ultra-high and it is pretty amazing to think about Michelin technical centers for use performance tires for Corvette street how the Michelin relationship with in developing new tires for both vehicles - you can’t have a tighter circle Corvette has grown,” said Chris Baker, Corvette Racing and production for feedback than that. motorsports director for Michelin vehicles. As the collaboration continues, North America. Through the first 100+ races of the Michelin engineers can develop “When two companies share a technical partnership with Michelin, increasingly specific tires to meet the passion for innovation, engineering Corvette Racing captured five GT class demands for each subsequent Corvette. excellence and constantly improving wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Michelin has been honored to technology, great things happen for 60 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) develop the MICHELIN® Pilot® Sport racers on the track and consumers on class wins, including six victories PS2 ZP tire for the 2009 Corvette ZR1, the street.” Michelin & Corvette 4

he transfer of technology from race car to production “Practically every exterior change served a functional purpose, cars is not a one way street. as this (Z06) beast needed more of everything,” said Tom Peters, “The Corvette Z06 is a great example of the Corvette design director. technology transfer between racing and production “The flared fenders accommodate larger, wider wheels and tires Corvettes,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief for more grip. The larger vents provide more cooling air to the Tengineer. “First, we took what we learned on the Corvette Racing engine, brakes, transmission and differential for increased track C6.R and applied that to the all-new Corvette Stingray. capability. The more aggressive aerodynamic package generates “Then, using the Stingray as a foundation, the Z06 and C7.R true downforce for more cornering grip and high-speed stability.” were developed to push the envelope of performance on the A track-focused Z07 Performance Package adds unique street and the track. We are continually taking what we learn in components for true aerodynamic downforce, MICHELIN® Pilot competition, and applying it to improve production Corvettes – Super Sport® ZP tires for enhanced grip, and Brembo carbon which then makes better race cars.” ceramic-matrix brake rotors that improve braking performance The 2015 model is the first Corvette Z06 to offer a supercharged and contribute to greater handling through reduced unsprung engine, an automatic transmission and, thanks to a stronger weight. aluminum frame, a removable roof panel. In fact, the Corvette C7.R race car was co-developed with the The new, supercharged 6.2L engine is expected to deliver at all-new 2015 Corvette Z06. They share unprecedented levels of least 625 horsepower (466 kW) and can be matched with either a engineering and components including chassis architecture, seven-speed manual or an all-new, high-performance eight-speed engine technologies and aerodynamic strategies. automatic transmission with paddle shifters for manual control. “Many of the architectural and aerodynamic features of the The aluminum frame carries over from the Corvette Stingray C7.R are based on equivalent components and technologies from and will be used essentially unchanged for the Corvette C7.R. the 2015 Corvette Z06,” said Juechter. 5

The race car and the Z06 will share the same production-based induction, the C7.R carries over the powertrain from the C6.R. aluminum frame. However, for the first time, the frames for the By comparison, the new Z06 boasts a supercharged 6.2L engine race car and production Z06 will be built in-house at Corvette’s estimated at 625 horsepower. Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant. The suspension on the C7.R is modified to accommodate For Corvette Racing, this equates to a race chassis for the C7.R wider racing tires and larger brakes, again part of the GT class that is 40 percent stronger than the outgoing C6.R. regulations. Meanwhile, the addition of direct fuel injection to the Corvette For the new C7.R, there are now openings on each of the rear Z06 promises greater efficiency, offering drivers more precise quarter panels above the brake ducts, which will draw air to help throttle control and typically improves fuel economy about 3 cool the race car’s transaxle and differential. percent. The C7.R’s aero detail also makes the rear wing a more- The aerodynamic strategies of the Corvette Stingray came significant part of the car’s aero package. directly from the Corvette C6.R – including the forward-tilted For its part, Michelin, as the exclusive technical partner for radiator, functional hood and front-quarter panel vents, and rear Corvette Racing and the Stingray and Z06, has developed specific transmission and differential cooling intakes. tire solutions for each vehicle. “We worked concurrently with the race team developing the Building upon the continuous flow of data and performance aerodynamic packages for the Z06 and the C7.R,” said Juechter. insights in a deep collaboration with Corvette, Michelin has “We even used the same modeling software to test both cars, created fitments to deliver total performance for efficiency, enabling us to share data and wind-tunnel test results.” safety and performance for Corvette owners and Corvette There are, of course, differences between the race car and Racing. production Corvette Z06. For example, as the GT class rules And, of course, Corvette Racing gets access to the latest limit the maximum displacement to 5.5L and prohibit forced proprietary MICHELIN GT Le Mans race slicks and rain tires. 6 FAST FACTS Big change in Fastest Magnussen? A funny thing happened 2014 sports cars to Corvette Racing ace , the 2013 GT class driver co-champion. Program manager Doug Fehan now calls him, “the second fastest Magnussen in the world,” as son Kevin begins his first season as a McLaren F1 race driver. But in qualifying at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Jan took The world of sports car racing in North America changed the GT Le Mans class pole and since Kevin had a weekend off, as the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Jan once again became the fastest Magnussen in the world, at launched in January 2014. Created by a merger of the least for another week. He and co-driver Antonio Garcia went American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the GRAND- on to take the win, while teammates and Tommy AM series, the TUDOR Championship, now owned Milner finished third as Milner posted the fastest race lap. by a division of NASCAR, takes a “best of the best” approach to develop and strengthen the sport’s appeal to manufacturers, teams, sponsors and fans. For Michelin, the new series provides the opportunity to Happy Anniversary participate in open competition in the Grand Touring Le Corvette Racing recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as Mans (GTLM) class and to continue important technical a Michelin technical partner. The combination has racked up partnerships with factory teams from , BMW, 61 race wins, 5 wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 7 sets of Corvette, Ferrari, and SRT Viper. championships. “Technical partnerships are an important part of our development of innovative tire designs and constructions ® – and, as importantly, in the development of our Vehicle Model Tire Sizes MICHELIN Tire Fitments and Part Numbers understanding of tire mechanics in general and in the Pilot® Super Sport Pilot® Super Sport ZP Pilot® Sport PS2™ Pilot® Sport PS2™ ZP Pilot® Sport A/S 3 Pilot® Sport A/S + ZP Pilot® Sport Cup ZP Pilot® Sport Cup 2 ZP Pilot® Alpin PA4 conception of new simulation tools,” said Chris Baker, Gen Year Option Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear motorsports director for Michelin North America. C5 1997-2004 Standard P245/45ZR17 LL 89Y P275/40ZR18 LL 94Y 87984 18205 31651 62312 15335 37542 “Michelin supports the unification of sports car racing in 2001-2004 Z06 P265/40ZR17 LL 91Y P295/35ZR18 LL 91Y 44359 43008 North America in alignment with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We think the TUDOR Championship will be exciting,” said C6 2005-2013 Standard P245/40ZR18 LL (88Y) P285/35ZR19 LL (90Y) 03264 29422 69693 10332 28120 46023 78156 07893 09579 89020 39254 10331 12852 35211 Baker. 2006-2013 Z06 P275/35ZR18 LL (87Y) P325/30ZR19 LL (94Y) 99872 14566 43657 15925 Apparently Corvette Racing agrees, as the team took the 2009-2013 ZR1 P285/30ZR19 LL (87Y) P335/25ZR20 LL (94Y) 05916 02430 13913 13161 32048 10321 08704 51138 first pole and victory for the new C7.R at the Long Beach 2010-2013 Grand Sport P275/35ZR18 LL (87Y) P325/30ZR19 LL (94Y) 99872 14566 43657 15925 Grand Prix. 2011-2013 Z06 w/Z07 Perf.Pack P285/30ZR19 LL (87Y) P335/25ZR20 LL (94Y) 13913 13161 32048 10321 “We look forward to seeing how the series is promoted and how the fans, manufacturers and media respond. This C7 2014+ Standard P245/40ZR18 (93Y) P285/35ZR19 (99Y) 03264 29422 69693 10332 28120 46023 78156 07893 09579 89020 39254 10331 12852 35211 will be a year to watch as the series learns and adjusts in 2014+ Z51 P245/35ZR19 (89Y) P285/30ZR20 (95Y) 15466 61244 25687 11313 12666 59857 06553 05258 03949 10712 preparation for 2015 and beyond,” said Baker. “We all like 2015+ Z06 P285/30ZR19 (94Y) P335/25ZR20 (99Y) 05916 02430 13913 13161 32048 10321 08704 51138 great cars, lots of fans and good competition.” 2015+ Z07 P285/30ZR19 (94Y) P335/25ZR20 (99Y) 05916 02430 13913 13161 32048 10321 08704 51138 “This is a truly historic partnership and it is pretty amazing to think about how the Michelin relationship 7 FAST with Corvette has grown.” FACTS CHRIS BAKER, MOTORSPORTS DIRECTOR FOR MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA Fast like Ron? The only thing better than owning a is being able to drive it well to experience all of the Stay Corvette & carry on performance and exhilaration that it can provide. That is Corvette Racing’s first victory with the C7.R at Long where the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School shines. Beach on April 12 came in just the third race for the new car. Fellows, a charter member of Corvette Racing and Combined with nine wins and sweeps of the Manufacturer, multi-time driving champion, established his performance Team and Driver championships in the final two seasons of driving school at Spring Mountain in October of 2008. competition with the team’s C6.Rs, the Corvette Racing team The Ron Fellows Performance Driving School offers high and 2013 driver champs Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia performance driver training to improve driving technique, (4) and 2012 champs Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner (6) provide professional racing instruction, or simply enjoy the have combined for 10 wins in the last 22 races. opportunity to drive one of America’s fastest production race cars. Instructors are trained to test the limits of the drivers and the vehicles on an exhilarating, purpose-built Tommy Milner will be pleased when road course in a safe, controlled environment. fellow American, Jordan Taylor, age 22, As the Official High Performance Driving School of USA rejoins the team as a third driver at Le Corvette, the Driving School exclusively uses current Mans. Meaning, Milner (28) will no longer model Corvette C7 Stingray and ZR1 models on STYLE be the youngest, or the only American MICHELIN® tires. driver on the team. With a 2012 GT driver title with Oliver Gavin, six wins in the past Set against a stunning mountain backdrop just 55 miles two seasons, including victory at Sebring west of the Las Vegas Strip, the Driving School is located in 2013, plus a Le Mans win in 2011, he is within the Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country quietly building an impressive record. Club.

Vehicle Model Tire Sizes MICHELIN® Tire Fitments and Part Numbers Pilot® Super Sport Pilot® Super Sport ZP Pilot® Sport PS2™ Pilot® Sport PS2™ ZP Pilot® Sport A/S 3 Pilot® Sport A/S + ZP Pilot® Sport Cup ZP Pilot® Sport Cup 2 ZP Pilot® Alpin PA4 Gen Year Option Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear C5 1997-2004 Standard P245/45ZR17 LL 89Y P275/40ZR18 LL 94Y 87984 18205 31651 62312 15335 37542 2001-2004 Z06 P265/40ZR17 LL 91Y P295/35ZR18 LL 91Y 44359 43008 C6 2005-2013 Standard P245/40ZR18 LL (88Y) P285/35ZR19 LL (90Y) 03264 29422 69693 10332 28120 46023 78156 07893 09579 89020 39254 10331 12852 35211 2006-2013 Z06 P275/35ZR18 LL (87Y) P325/30ZR19 LL (94Y) 99872 14566 43657 15925 2009-2013 ZR1 P285/30ZR19 LL (87Y) P335/25ZR20 LL (94Y) 05916 02430 13913 13161 32048 10321 08704 51138 2010-2013 Grand Sport P275/35ZR18 LL (87Y) P325/30ZR19 LL (94Y) 99872 14566 43657 15925 2011-2013 Z06 w/Z07 Perf.Pack P285/30ZR19 LL (87Y) P335/25ZR20 LL (94Y) 13913 13161 32048 10321 C7 2014+ Standard P245/40ZR18 (93Y) P285/35ZR19 (99Y) 03264 29422 69693 10332 28120 46023 78156 07893 09579 89020 39254 10331 12852 35211 2014+ Z51 P245/35ZR19 (89Y) P285/30ZR20 (95Y) 15466 61244 25687 11313 12666 59857 06553 05258 03949 10712 2015+ Z06 P285/30ZR19 (94Y) P335/25ZR20 (99Y) 05916 02430 13913 13161 32048 10321 08704 51138 2015+ Z07 P285/30ZR19 (94Y) P335/25ZR20 (99Y) 05916 02430 13913 13161 32048 10321 08704 51138 8 Countdown to August National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park readies for launch

new world class arrangement of a two mile / 13 turn used for future development. The track motorsports park is West course and a one mile / 10 turn was designed with challenging features opening in August 2014 East course which can be combined that are reminiscent of the famous and Corvette enthusiasts into multiple configurations. Circuit de la Sarthe course in Le Mans, and Michelin are helping Both circuits will feature technical France where Corvette Racing has Ato make it happen. The National turns, straights and elevation changes. enjoyed great success. Corvette Museum Motorsports Park, Variable configurations for autocross located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will also be available on a 21 acre wet/ will become the perfect complement dry skid pad area. to the National Corvette Museum and The NCM’s high performance driver the General Motors Corvette Assembly education (HPDE) school offers an Plant. intense program teaching vehicle Michelin will become the official tire These two courses could be used dynamics, car control, cornering, of the NCM Motorsports Park. independently for multiple events, or braking and driving fundamentals in Located on approximately 184 acres connected together into a unique large the classroom and on the track, led by of land with 1.5 miles of frontage on course. highly-trained classroom and certified I-65, directly across the interstate The adjoining 221 acres have also in-car instructors. from the Museum, the initial phase of been incorporated into Phase II of the http://www.motorsportspark.org the Park will consist of a twin circuit Master Development Plan, and may be

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