This weekend’s ADAC GT Masters Season Finale was the backdrop for the unveiling of Callaway Competition’s new Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R. The successor to the C6-based Callaway Z06.R GT3 was displayed to the public for the first time on October 3, 2015 at the Hockenheimring in Germany.
Constructors of GT race cars since 1990 and based in Leingarten Germany, Callaway Competition have undertaken nearly two years of comprehensive planning, intensive development and expert fabrication of vehicle components, Callaway Competition completed the first C7 GT3-R just a few weeks ago.
Its striking design comes as a result of the collaboration between Canadian designer Paul Deutschman and team owners Giovanni Ciccone and Ernst Wöhr. Mike Gramke, Uwe Hoffmann, Florian Möhring and Andre Zanke were also heavily involved in the vehicle’s development. Rüdiger Geckler coordinated the delivery of all components and the detailed assembly work was taken on by Herbert Schürg. All of these people played a key role and are acknowledged for their hard work and dedication.
The result is a GT3 racer built to meet all FIA rules and regulations. Powering the Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R is a Chevrolet-based 6.2L V8 engine producing 600 horsepower, mated to an X-Trac 6-speed sequential gearbox with paddle-shift technology. Having put the C7 GT3-R through its paces, the development team is proud to report that it surpasses its predicted performance.
The new Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R’s will take to the track starting in 2016, competing with the world’s fastest GT cars in a variety of racing series worldwide. The first C7 GT3-R to be campaigned by Callaway Competition’s in-house race team is sponsored by Whelen Engineering of Chester, Connecticut, manufacturers of premium quality warning and signaling devices.
Ernst Wöhr and Giovanni Ciccone, managing partners of Callaway Competition, stated: “We wanted to set another milestone in our company’s history with our new design, developing and constructing a future-proof vehicle that will be produced from 2016 and used for many years to come. As a small, privately owned team lacking the finances and human resources of the big automotive groups, we knew from the outset that approaching a project of this magnitude would be very daring. Therefore, first and foremost, we have to thank our employees and partners who have made it possible to finally set the C7 GT3R on its wheels. Everyone has given more than 100% and we truly can’t thank them enough. We can be proud of our performance to date and are confident we will be rewarded with good results in the many races ahead.”
