On Friday, NASCAR formally unveiled the Subsequent Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that may contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June as a Storage 56 entry pushed by Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, and Mike Rockenfeller. Whereas it boasts many similarities to the usual competitors model, partly aided by the seventh-generation Cup Collection automobile already being fitter for highway racing than its predecessors, there are nonetheless quite a lot of variations that units it aside.
“From the start of this undertaking, it was essential to us that the automobile we deliver to Le Mans is a real NASCAR inventory automobile,” said NASCAR head Jim France. “Whereas there have been some changes to permit the automobile to compete in a 24-hour endurance race, followers in Le Mans will likely be handled to the total NASCAR expertise.”
The Storage 56 Camaro is barely longer at 4,961 mm versus the common’s 4,912.36, however can be lighter at 1,342 kg to 1,580. Additionally rising in dimension is the gas cell, which may maintain 127 litres in comparison with the usual automobile’s 75 L, so as to accommodate the race size.
Whereas the Subsequent Gen’s rear spoiler sits at 4 inches (10.16 cm), the Storage 56’s is 2 inches bigger at 15.24 cm. NASCAR has experimented with various spoiler lengths all through the later years of the Gen-6 automobile, with widespread opinion swaying in the direction of shorter wings; a six-inch spoiler was initially deliberate for 2022 earlier than dropping to the present 4 inches to extend horsepower.
Contained in the cockpit, the automobile operates on a five-speed paddle shift sequential moderately than the standard handbook sequential. Sequential transmissions are a brand new characteristic of the Subsequent Gen as the game has lengthy utilised H-shaped gearboxes, although drivers are nonetheless required to take their fingers off the steering wheel to shift.
Different variations are meant to adjust to ACO laws or meet the race’s calls for such because the addition of headlights.
Curiously, the automobile will nonetheless use a Chevrolet R07 forged iron small-block V8 just like the competitors version moderately than a hybrid. NASCAR didn’t instantly reveal particulars of hybridisation, which the ACO burdened was a significant factor in approving the Storage 56 entry.
