Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R Set for U.S. Debut

Photo: ADAC GT Masters

The Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R is set for its U.S. debut, with GM having given permission for the privately built GT3 car to run in Creventic’s 24-hour race at Circuit of The Americas in November.

A pair of the Callaways are currently entered for the inaugural 24H Series event for ADAC GT Masters squad RWT Racing Team, with a to-be-announced driver lineup.

“We have agreed to allow that car to run in that specific race in the U.S. because it doesn’t compete against our Cadillacs,” GM Racing Director Mark Kent told Sportscar365.

“We think it’s going to be great exposure for that car and help Callaway with their program.”

Kent said an agreement was made between Callaway and GM that prevented the German-built car to be run in either Pirelli World Challenge or the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“We believe very strongly in swim lines within the company,” he said. “We don’t want Chevrolets racing head-to-head against Cadillacs, as we’re trying to highlight the Cadillac [in PWC].

“To have it racing head-to-head against a Corvette, it’s not clear to the fans and not fair to the Cadillacs.”

While there are no plans for the Cadillac ATS-V.R to compete in the GT Daytona class of the WeatherTech Championship, Kent said it’s also not allowed there due to “different reasons”, understood to be related to IMSA’s manufacturer partnership fees.

Kent stressed that GM’s decisions on the car’s eligibility have been strictly business-related.

“Callaway is a great partner of ours and we’ll continue to explore opportunities to work together in the future,” he said.

“This in no way anything against Callaway; they’ve been a fantastic partner. This is strictly a business decision not a partnership decision.”

The 24H COTA race is scheduled for Nov. 10-12, and will serve as a non-points round of the 24H Series by Hankook championship.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John