Celebrating 70 Years of Corvette Racing: Top Race Cars at 2023 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion
Step into the exhilarating world of Corvette racing history as we take you on a thrilling journey through the decades. The 2023 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion (RMMR) was an automotive spectacle like no other, where enthusiasts gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the iconic Corvette. From Le Mans legends to innovative prototypes, we bring you the top Corvette race cars that graced the Monterey Car Week stage. Each of these exceptional machines has a unique story to tell, and they’ve left an indelible mark on the racing world. Join us as we explore the remarkable lineup of Corvette race cars that left spectators in awe at this prestigious event. Our coverage is brought to you by Jan Hyde from the Registry of Corvette Race Cars, and the stunning photos are courtesy of Joe Johnston on the Registry’s Facebook Group page.
Top Corvette Race Cars were displayed at the 2023 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion (RMMR), celebrating Corvette’s 70th anniversary.
Each of the three 1960 Corvettes Briggs Cunningham entered at Le Mans that year were brought together once again following their debut at Amelia Island earlier in March. The owners are John Dewing (# 1), Bruce Meyer (# 2), and Irwin Kroiz (# 3), which appeared at LRP HF40 2022.
# 2 1963 Grand Sport (chassis 003) belongs to Larry Bowman. # 3 1963 Grand Sport (chassis 004) courtesy of the Collier Museum.
1963 Grand Sport # 10 (chassis 001), owned by Harry Yeaggy, took part in the prestigious Pebble Beach 17-mile road tour.
# 1 1957 Corvette SS prototype was intended to demonstrate the Corvette’s racing prowess to the world. One of the most beautiful designs for the age was scuttled when GM withdrew from the competition. It came from the Indianapolis Speedway Museum and appeared at LRP HF40 2022.
# GM stylist Bill Mitchell built 11 1957 Sting Ray Racer on a spare chassis that served as a test “mule” before the SS arrived at Sebring. Mitchell hired Dr. Dick Thompson, who won the SCCA CM class championship in 1960.
Racing greats Stirling Moss and Juan Miguel Fangio lapped at record speeds but turned down offers, fearing it would break, which it did. The car was on loan from GM collection. It appeared at LRP HF40 2022.
# 1 1960 CERV 1 (Indy style) and # 1 1963 CERV 2 (pre-USRRC) were designed & tested by Zora Arkus Duntov. Both were on loan from GM collection and appeared at LRP HF40 2022.
# 63 1999 Pratt & Miller C5.R chassis 001 and # 53 2002 chassis 009, both in Le Mans trim, are from the collection of Brad Briscoe.
# 3 1963 ZO6 Corvette ordered by Mickey Thompson was equipped with an experimental big block (a/k/a “Mystery” motor) that proved too unwieldy for famed NASCAR driver Junior Johnson to race at Daytona. Note hood bulge. Owner Tom McIntyre found it and tracked down the original engine.
# 9 1966 L88 big block Corvette won the GT class at Daytona (# 6 in red), followed by Sebring, entered by Roger Penske on his first outing as team owner, from the collection of Kevin Mackay. It appeared at LRP HF40 2022.
# 1 1956 SR2 was built on orders from GM for Jerry Earl (son of stylist Harley Earl). It later received a 283 cu in fuelie motor souped up with dual air meters from the collection of Irwin Kroiz.
# 80 1968 SCCA BP won national championships over four straight years, driven by Alan Barker, followed by Bill Jobe. It started life as a big block that Doug Bergen built to race at Sebring. From the collection of Larry Bowman.
# 18 1978 is the second of two tube-frame cars by expert designer Bob Riley for John Greenwood. John Paul Sr. bought it to race in IMSA. Now meticulously restored and offered for sale by Bruce Canepa.
# 40 1978 IMSA Greenwood chassis 009 began life with R.V. Schulnberg at Sebring. It was then modified as a wide-body and has had several owners, including Denmark and now back in the US (to be identified).
# 1 1962 327 cu in fuel injection had a one-and-only outing at Le Mans that year with Tony Settember and Jack Turner, now owned by collector Steve Leitstein.
# 4 1968 big block Corvette raced by Dave Heinz that became a last-minute entry at Le Mans in 1972 after Enzo Ferrari withdrew in one of his tantrums. Officially entered as Ferrari’s North American Racing Team (NART), it carries a Ferrari sticker from the collection of Anthony Geraci.
In conclusion, the 2023 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion (RMMR) was a glorious celebration of Corvette’s 70th anniversary, showcasing a breathtaking array of Corvette race cars that have left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport. From the historic Le Mans entries to innovative prototypes and championship-winning legends, each car represented a chapter in Corvette’s remarkable racing legacy. We are grateful to Jan Hyde of the Registry of Corvette Race Cars for providing us with this captivating coverage of the event. The passion and dedication of enthusiasts like Jan Hyde ensure that Corvette’s racing heritage continues to shine brightly, inspiring generations of fans and keeping the spirit of Corvette racing alive.
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