Chevrolet Unveils Two Unique '08 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Cars

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

More information on pricing and availability will be announced a later
date.

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 –
coupes 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

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Nothing new here,... except eye candy.

C'mon now, the 30th Anniversary Car of the 25th Anniversary Car? Sounds a
little convoluted to me.

Got to hand it to GM though. They've concieved a way to make a "build-out"
profitable, and at the same time clean off the shelves at Bowling Green so
they can tool-up for the 2009 ZR1.