CORVETTE'S 2000 RACE SCHEDULE TO FEATURE LE MANS

The Chevrolet Corvette is to add another chapter to its history next year when it enters the C5-R Corvette in the 68th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours race, taking place on the weekend of 17 - 18 June.

British driver Justin Bell has joined the Chevrolet team for the 2000 campaign. Team Corvette will also enter two Corvettes in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Florida, the 12 Hours at Sebring, Florida, and the Petit Le Mans in Atlanta.

Le Mans is sports-car racing's biggest stage and provides the ultimate test for both man and machine. Corvette is taking on the challenge to prove its global expertise in automotive engineering and design against car makers from all over the world.

"The Corvette Racing programme reinforces and underscores our commitment to the Corvette and its magnificent heritage," explained Jim Campbell, Corvette brand manager. "Racing in such a prestigious event like Le Mans just furthers that commitment. We're looking forward to showing the rest of the world what so many Corvette owners already know - that Corvette is one of the premier sports cars in the world."

Dave Hill, vehicle line executive and chief engineer, Corvette, said Chevrolet will use the race programme to showcase the latest Corvette's integrity, quality and sports-car character. "We want to increase consumer share of mind for the C5 Corvette not only in the U.S., but globally," he said.

Chevrolet officially returned to road racing earlier this year with the introduction of the GM Goodwrench Service Plus-sponsored C5-R Corvette, a GM-engineered GTS sports car based on the production C5. The C5-R achieved a podium finish in its debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January with third place. In six races in its inaugural season, the C5-R had four podium finishes including a pair of second-place finishes at the Sears Point and Laguna Seca races in the American Le Mans Series.

Team Corvette kicks off the 2000 race season with its two-car entry at the Rolex 24 at Daytona on February 8-9 at Daytona International Speedway.

Briton Justin Bell has extensive experience of Le Mans, with six drives including a third overall in 1995 in a McLaren F1, a win in 1998 in the GT2 class with drivers David Donahue and Luca Drudi, and a second-place finish in GTS in this year's contest. He also claimed the FIA GT2 World Championship in 1997. He has also gained a wealth of experience in many different formats including Indy Lights, F3000, Touring Cars and International GT. The 31-year-old lives in London with his wife Sarah.

• The 1999 Le Mans report
• Cadillac also to do Le Mans 2000

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