Historic
ZL1 is the rarest option code ever produced for a Corvette. It means that the engine block is manufactured in aluminium for weight reduction, and a gain of 80 kgs on the front end of the car, in comparison between a complete 427 ci iron engine and the ZL1.
The first European owner for this option was Henri Greder for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, due to his great relationship with Zora Arkus Duntov. The result was astonish, Henri finished in 6th position overall in 1970. Unfortunately the Porsche managers claimed to the ACO Official saying that the distance effected by the Corvette was not sufficent in relation with the displacement engine. The verdict fall and the Corvette was not classified. But it’s very interesting to note that a GT raced by a private team, finished the 24 hours race just behind two Ferraris 512S and three Porsches prototypes !!! MORE...
you can see all pictures of the total restoration by double clicking on the STEP BY STEP RESTORATION
News
| 13.06.2010 |
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LEMANS CLASSIC TARGET |
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We are now at 30 days before the fantastic Lemans Classic Event. We have again the great opportunity to participate for the second time to the race and to defend our 2008 first place on the GT category and the 7th place overall.
"Femme d'Aujourd'hui" will have the number 67 on grid 5. We still have minor modifications to effect for this track, like a lower rear end ratio, refix the front air damm, improve the brake cooling system and shortened the steering column. Otherwise, no particular problems.
Consequently, this is with serenity that we will be there.
Rendez-vous now at Lemans Classic on the next July 8, 9, 10, 2010 for an exciting racing week end. |
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| 10.05.2010 |
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Spa Francorchamps race results |
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After two month of intensive efforts, finally we are at the Spa-Francorchamps track for the second CER event. 65 race cars registered, with 14 race cars in the GT1 category.
Friday morning was cold, rainy and windy with only 4 degrees c., as we consider that we have to brake-in the camshaft, this bad wheather is welcome. In same time, for the first time, we will test our new rain tyres, which are our Good Year tyres modified. After a first test session in which everything worked well, we were a little bit disapointed by the lack of grip of our rain tyres... In the afternoon on the first qualifying round, we decided to change with dry tyres, as we know that the trajectory is dry. We noticed that all the other race cars are still with rain tyres, which is a mistake due to the fact that the track is dry. Immediately, I adopt for a fast lap times and I noted that we have reach our goal, our top speed is now higher on each gear at 6500 rpm instead of 6000 rpm with our previous camshaft. After a few laps and pit stops for controlling tyres pressure and engine temperature the first qualifying session ended with a best lap on 2 min. 49 sec. which classified us on the 2nd position on the GT1 category.
On the second qualification run we did not go faster (2 min. 49sec.) but we tried to have a constent fast laps time avoiding to go too fast , and we also tested the best tyre pressure for the race.
Bernard Moreau just took the pole (same as in 2009 Dijon race), just followed by another Porsche RSR 3.0 L driven by M.Meyers (both Porsches have slicks tyres and our Corvette don't ! ) which is not in our favour for this championship. due to the fact that the rules for our car authorize only racing tyres which are not slicks, but the lap timing gap between the two Porsches and our Corvette is very thin and we will talk about it later in the season ! Consequently, we are in third position in the GT1 category.
The race started at 3 pm, our fuel tank was full, we have new fresh tyres, and the track and air temperature are at 13 degrees c, almost perfect for us. A good start for us, the two Porsches stood on the right side of the track in order to be not pass, for the three first laps all three cars were very close from each other, then this gap stood until come the one minute pit stop . Christophe indicate to me the pit stop for the next lap. I stopped and returned after the one minute stop and effect a very fast lap, when I arrived along the pits, the two Porsches reenter in the track side by side just in front of me, which did not permit to me to pass them, I was faster than them but I did not absolutely tried to pass and stood behind them. If I was 2 sec. faster, I had the opportunity to be in front of them for the rest of the race !. Moreau is now a little bit faster but I stood just behind Meyer's car and our two cars were now nose to tail ! I tried again to pass him but he stood on the left side and then in the middle of the track which did not permit to pass, I can't do anything and I think that he is a very good driver ! He is a little faster in the "raidillon" and then I'm faster in the straight line, he went on the left side and then I tried to pass on the right but I have not enough space to pass, but in the last lap a fuel pressure failure obliged him to stop in the grass, consequently, I was now in the second position at the finish line, but as I arrived in the paddock I learned that I had to do a pit stop and go because I "so called" left the pits less than one minute during the "one minute stop" . At this time, I'm still in the second position in the CER classification. As we know the fight was not equal with the competitors which race with
slicks, but I'm so happy to have followed the two slicks equipped Porsche during all the race with my racing tyres !
Congratulations to Erick De Doncker which did not finally drove our Corvette. He raced the VDS Team Ford GT1 in the Le Mans Series SPA 1000 km and won the GT1 category in front of the two other Matech Team Ford GT1 which we also congratulate them. A very good and promising result before the 24 hours of Le Mans in next June. |
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| 02.05.2010 |
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April 7th, unfortunately it was not possible for us to race in the first CER meeting at the Paul
Ricard, an error in the right camshaft choice did not allowed us to go to this meeting two
days before it ! We were very disappointed, after three weeks of hard working, but
the Team did not stop his effort and continue to work.
May 1st, the new mechanical camshaft is now into the ZL1 engine, we must go to fire up the
engine on Monday May 3rd, and then effect a road test before we go to
Spa Francorchamps on Wednesday 5th. Our friend and local driver Eric DeDoncker
will join the ZL1 Team for the CER Event and will also participate to the Le Mans Series
1000 km event at the wheel of VDS Team Ford GT1 in the same week end.
A great and very exciting week end is waiting for us. |
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| 06.04.2010 |
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Paul Ricard test Result |
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First of all, we welcomed our new colleague Christophe Lambercy, who will discover the race track world and the ZL1 Corvette.
Unfortunately, only 13 laps covered before a falling oil pressure, just after exiting of the "S de la verrerie" !! then back to the pits without apparent engine failure. We tried to understand why ? We tested the gauge and the sending unit, but they working well. Then we took out the oil pressure hose, and activated the engine starter and noticed that no oil is going out of the hose ! We immediately understood that the problem is badder than we expected, so we decided to come back to our headquarters in Geneva.
We discovered almost two oil liters in th! e oil canister accumulated in only 13 laps ! It's evident that there is too much compression internally in the engine and that the cancellation of the oil return from the oil canister to the oil pan was not a good idea. We did not found any internal damages, but for the good order sake we decided to put new crankshaft bearings and added mechanical lifters instead of the hydraulic ones which will added more revs to the engine.
We, then, reinstalled the engine in the car on April 6 and hope to be on Wednesday at the Paul Ricard Circuit for the 1st 2010 CER Race. |
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| 08.03.2010 |
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Hello Race Fans,
The 2010 Season will begin soon, and we are already registered for the first three CER Championship Races (see the 2010 schedule on our homepage).
On the next 18 of March, we will effect a test day on the Paul Ricard race track. During the winter, we have effected some technical improvment, but the most ones will be done during the season.
A dry sump will be added for the CER races and a new camshaft will be installed which will help to increase the maximum engine rpm and in same time our top speed. |
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| 25.06.2009 |
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GRAND PRIX DE L'AGE D'OR DIJON PRENOIS |
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Dijon Prenois is a fast track but difficult for a heavy car like a Corvette !
For the first time we run on this track without braking and restriction noise problems !
Arrived on Wednesday late in the afternoon, we were ready to participate to the free
Practice on Friday morning. It was effected with satisfaction at
The exception that our top speed on the straight line is too low (max rpm was reached
At the ¾ of the straight line) Consequently, we decided that for qualifying practice and the races
to will increase the engine rpm limit by 200 rpm.
We were registered in ASAVE 76 category i.e. cars manufactured between 1966 and 1976, and
We decided to stay in the specs of our category i.e. GR IV 1971 with Good Year tyres (no slicks).
For the qualifying practice, we mounted a set of fresh new tyres and the result was a 3rd position
In our category with 1 min. 316, just behind the pole man with the Porsche 3.0 RSR of Bernard Moreau 1 min.304 and
Claude Boissy 1 min. 311.
In the first race, B.Moreau did not start (rocker failure), which help me to arrive in front of the field on the first corner without to be really stressed by the other race cars. Lap after lap my lap times were between
1 min. 317 and 1 min. 321. Thinking having enough gap from the second place driver, I tried to save the tyres
for the second race. Each lap times were now between 1min.33 and 1min.34, passing slower cars , I won the
race with 4,3 sec. in advance on Boissy, establishing the best lap of the field.
Second race the starting grid was reversed for the 8 first car , consequently I started on line 4, 8th position, At the start
I arrived on second position on the first corner just behind Basso with his BMW 3.0 CSL, I stood one lap and a half
Behind him, then I passed him at the Pouas corner just before the straight line. On the third lap I feel that my tyres
Begun to be at the end of their life and I try to maintain fast laps trying to save my tyres. I heard in my radio that I have 10 sec. in advance on Basso but I knew that B.Moreau driving his Porsche at the limit due to his start
At the 36th place on the grid will try to pass me before the end of the race. My tyres seems now to be totally worn, then just before the last lap I saw the 2 lights of the Porsche in the mirror. Now I had no choice, I have to do the maximum with the used tyres, the car slide dangerously and Moreau tried to pass me in the “cuvette”, we were now door to door, Moreau was now on my right side, I stood on the left, then arrive the Pouas corner, on the straight line, the power of the V8 help me to stay in front but once again in the “cuvette” Moreau came back and try to pass me from the inside, but there was a
Slower car which I passed from the left, Moreau tried again to pass me but without success, then Pouas corner
Arrived and Moreau try to pass me on the right, but I knew that the Porsche has not enough engine power than the
Corvette and when I will accelerate he will have no chance to follow me, which happened. I won the second race by 1,2 sec.
Thanks very much again to Benjamin and to our new mechanics Loic Scalet to whom we wish welcome in our Team. |
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| 21.05.2009 |
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RACE OF A SPA CER MAY 2009 |
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Simply the best permanent track ! fast, tortuous, with different levels and hard braking corners. What most normal to ask my friend Eric De Doncker to come to share the Corvette wheel for the week end in our Team.
Immediately on first free practice, I noticed that it is very difficult or impossible to keep the rope in each corner and to stay on it. ! On first qualifying practice it was a little bit better, but I could do better, lap times were around 2 min.49.
On the second qualifying practice, we put fresh new tyres, and now it was much better ! Eric effected a very fast lap in 2 min.466 which positioned us 1st in the GT1 category (without slicks) just in front of Claude Nahum driving his beautiful GT40 (chassis nbr 1078) also
From Burgol Racing.
One hour race with a driver swap between the 25th and 35th minutes. I took a very good start, keeping my position, two cars behind Claude Nahum (a BMW M1 of Stanislas De Sadeleer and a Porsche RSR), running in a good average of 2 min.49. lap times before the yellow flag further to Richard Mille and the M.Miquee off track driving. On the 30st minute, I came back in the pits due to braking problems (the Corvette became to be difficult to drive in every braking due to to an uncorrect braking balance to th rear). I pass the wheel to Eric which also immediately noticed that the problem. He just went out of the stands in front of Claude Nahum, who turn in a consistent 2 min.48. in each lap, Eric tried to keep the distance between the two cars, but it was too risky to maintain a difficult 2 min.50 alors the Claude maintain a consistent 2 min.48 lap after lap! Reasonably Eric let the GT40 going to the victory. We kept the second place on the podium just behind Claude who win the race with merit, due to his driving consistency from the beginning to the end of the week end. Congratulations Claude!
Burgol Racing stood on the podium for the 1st and 2nd place in the GT1 category, which is more than satisfactory!
Next meeting for racing will be at l'Age d'Or in Dijon on June 20 – 21, 2009. |
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| 09.04.2009 |
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2nd test day on the circuit of Magny Cours |
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Here we are in Magny Cours for the Club Europa week end, their welcome is always so cool, although we are the noisyier car in the field ! Otherwise wheather was not quite good, but no rain and partly suny.
After having effected several laps and finished a set of used racing tyres, we bolted a set of fresh tyres, it makes a big difference ! then we tested new pads and new disc brakes, we effected some laps at low speed to brake in the new parts and the results were even better. Then our lap times fall by a full second than in 2008. The leak in oil pan depressure system is now fixed. We stopped here the tests and came back to Geneva. Next meeting at Spa on May 8 and 9 for the CER Race. |
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| 30.03.2009 |
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Balance 1st Test 2009 |
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Paul Ricard Track Monday March 16, 2009, satisfactory test due to the new Bilstein shock absorbers tuned as per our requirements, a better balance fron/rear, consequently less front brakes effort.... an oil leak in the oil pan depressure system, probably due to an insufficent capacity to be fix.
Next meeting in Magny-Cours on April 4 and 5 for the last tests before the CER Race on May 8 and 9 at Spa Francorchamps. |
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| 16.01.2009 |
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INFO 2009 |
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Our Corvette will be back in 2009. First of all, a new windshield will be
mounted, because the one on the car, which was the original, did not support the stress of the Lemans Classic track !
Then, winter test will be effected, especially for braking balance front
and rear improvment and also endurance test. After that, supension test with mild and hard springs and shocks absorber, in order to have different set up for fast and slow tracks.
In a near future, the 2009 calendar of events of our team will be available
on line.
We would like again to thank all people who support our Team by their help or
presence at Lemans Classic, Nitro magazine for their fabulous report on the Corvette at this event and our Team, also to all the press, the magazines and all words on the web by different people who spoke about us. |
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| 19.07.2009 |
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LE MANS CLASSIC 2008 |
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A perfect week end ! 1st place in the GT category and 7th overall ! The only thing to say is "god job" to the Corvette Project Chief Engineer Benjamin Monney, from the first bolt to the last one, he was the Boss !
Wednesday 11, 2008, 11 a.m. the transmission parts were delivered at our place directly from the U.S. by Cobra Automotive. Benjamin immediately reassembled the transmission and we went to Le Mans the same day ! Arrived at destination everything happened perfectly.
Be patient, a special Le Mans Classic coverage will be on line in a couple of days.
Stay tune ! |
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| 06.07.2009 |
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RELEASE: Bob Bondurant |
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| We regret that Bob Bondurant was not present this week end for health reasons. Bod had two knees surgeries and he has not yet fully recovered the use of his two legs, so he decided not to come at the last minute. We wish him a very good recovery and we are very sorry that he was not here. However, Bob will be present on October 3 to 5, 2008 at the Geneva Classic for the presentation of his book (in english and french language). |
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| 05.07.2008 |
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BEFORE LE MANS CLASSIC 2008 |
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Le Mans Classic 2008, everything go fast now ! We are now confirmed as participant and we will be on next Thursday under the big tent of the grid 5.
The stickers from "Femme d'Aujourd'hui" are now on the car.
You will find under the chapter "schedule of races 2008" "Circuit des 24 heures", the race schedule. We hope to see you at this event. An race which is not to be missed by you.! |
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| 01.07.2008 |
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test Magny Cours 28 & 29 june |
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After a short track test of 10 laps at Dijon - Prenois on June 7, 2008 due to consistent brakes troubles, we went to Magny Cours to join the ClubEuropa race event (we always have a good time at their events). We effected approximately 50 laps on a very warm track. The test was excellent, we solve the brake problems and without any major problems.
The power and the exceptional grip of our Corvette did not fail, and the potential is here ! We have now to take profit of this fantastic handling........ |
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| 04.06.2008 |
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Motor test |
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The engine was dyno tested during the night of Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31 at Mader Racing with success. We open a bottle of champagne at 4.30 am after 2 hours of run in without any problems. The result of the figures was lower than we have expected i.e. 460 HP and 640 nm of torque. Meanwhile, we were ready to read those numbers due to the mild camshaft furnished by the previous american engine builder.
We thanks Mader Racing a lot to have delivered without delay the engine to us, a very good job effected by experts. THE MOVIE |
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| 29.05.2008 |
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After a professional assembly by Mader Racing, the engine is now ready to be dyno tested .
The official presentation which happened on May 24, 2008 was a success gracefulness to all guests which we greatly thanking. We now invite them to follow the first track test in Dijon-Prenois on June 6, 7 and 8, in pictures on our web site ... |
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| 10.05.2008 |
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Official presentation |
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The official presentation of our car is scheduled for the Saturday 24 May 2008 in Bellevue for the beginning of our 2008 racing season.
The PTH official papers issued by Auto Sport Suisse are arrived.
The engine is still at Mader's engine shop, after the meticulous internal checking of all of the engine parts, (one of the most tricky work), the professionnal crankshaft, rods and pistons balancing, the engine dyno test is scheduled for May 15, 2008. |
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| 07.04.2008 |
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Corvette is officially accepted |
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Our Corvette is officially accepted by the FIA Auto Sport Suisse. We will receive the Official Vintage Passport at the end of the month.
The engine is now at Mader Racing to be assembled and dyno tested and tuned. |
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| 03.04.2008 |
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Le Mans Classique 2008 |
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Le Mans Classic 2008, we are not selected but are in 6th position in the waiting list, this would say that we will participate to the free practice session during the day and to the night qualification.
The celeb Bob Bondurant will join our Team for Le Mans Classic |
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| Next race : |
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