Pratt & Miller will be busy for the next two seasons on Corvette Racing's behalf, but exactly what they'll be doing, where they'll be doing it, and how often it will be done is still to be determined. (Photo: Marshall Pruett) » More Photos

“Well, through the course of the last two years of conversations, meetings, and negotiations, it has become clear the current open and closed roof LMP1 cars will be allowed to continue alongside new LMP cars built to the EVO specs. Balancing these three vehicle types along with alternate fuels (gas, diesel, ethanol, hybrid, etc.) will be a MAJOR challenge to the sanctioning body. This only makes the decision to participate in this class tougher. Obviously GM would only want to participate in a class where we feel we have a real chance to be competitive and to win.

“In the meantime, we continue to stay in communication with both the FIA and the ACO as their rules for both GT and LMP classes will be revised for 2010. If we want to remain in this form of racing, we will obviously need to decide what to build. On the GT side, those rules are being written by the FIA with consultation from the ACO. Apparently, the latest proposed rules were accepted by the World Motorsports Council. These rules will lead to cars closer to today's GT2 specs for the chassis with division of classes by engine displacement (over 5.5L to be in GT1).”

Wesoloski was direct when speaking on Corvette Racing’s interest in whatever the 2010 version of GT1 racing will look like. Without a new protagonist to fight in the ALMS, their days in the Series could be numbered. “The uncertainty here leads us to try to stay in touch with our potential competitors and hope they are truthful with us regarding their intentions. We do not want to run in a class by ourselves again.”

With the likelihood of the funding for a prototype chassis or a new GT1 car unlikely, Wesoloski’s been investigating the best solution to take advantage of the ACO’s greater embrace of GT1-engined prototypes for 2009. Those changes allow GT1 engines from any manufacturer and to date and no limits on displacement have been announced.

Aston Martin found a home for their GT1 engine in the back of the factory-assisted Charouz Lola LMP1 car. Will we see a Corvette-powered LMP1 car in 2009? (Photo: Marshall Pruett) » More Photos

It’s a perfect invitation for Corvette Racing’s mighty 7.0L V8 to battle the 6.0L Aston Martin V12 currently in use by the AMR/Charouz Lola LMP1 team, but this doesn’t mean Wesoloski will be passing out Katech-built Corvette LMP1 engines to all those that come calling.

“We have had inquiries regarding using our GT1 engine in an LMP1 chassis but have not decided if we want to get into the business of selling hardware for those purposes.”

Which leads us to the final swirling vortex of uncertainty Wesoloski’s faced with. Does he propose to his GM bosses to fund the purchase of a customer LMP1 prototype to race and showcase their 427ci powerplant; does he go out on a limb and propose the massive funds to build their own P1 chassis; do they wait and see what the EVO rules look like and consider building one; do they step back and look for the best team to partner with on a P1 program as Aston Martin has done, or do they put their LMP chassis and engine aspirations aside until a brighter American economy will allow a no compromise assault on an overall win at Le Mans?

Next on the list of sensible paths would be to run another full ALMS GT1 campaign, but as Steve mentioned, a 3rd season of fighting with themselves would be a hard sell to GM’s brass. As the belt tightens around his road racing budget, 2009 could see the pair of yellow C6.R’s on a limited campaign of the major races—Sebring, Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans.

Whatever Corvette Racing’s 2009 announcements will look like, one thing is clear: the process of making those announcements will come on Wesoloski’s ability to read the minds of the ACO, and to run a program while drawing from a wallet that’s much lighter than in years past. Steve’s well-coifed frock of hair could also be lighter by the time we get to Sebring next March.

“Add in all of GM's latest financial woes and the pressure to reduce budgets for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009 and you begin to understand why my hair is going more gray by the day.”

Move over Kermit, I think Steve’s found a better use for your song.


Marshall Pruett is Automotive and Sportscar Racing Editor for SPEEDtv.com. Pruett grew up at "Pruett's Olde English Garage," his father's shelter for abused foreign cars, and spent his childhood being dragged across the West Coast to help with his dad's amateur racing exploits. Pruett spent twenty years working in various open-wheel and sportscar series, retiring from active duty in 2001. And in case you were wondering, no, he isn’t related to Scott Pruett.

He can be reached at

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, SPEED, FOX, or NewsCorp.