1988 Chevrolet Corvette Challenge Race Car

1988 Chevrolet Corvette Challenge Race Car

The SCCA’s Showroom Stock racing series provided the perfect venue for racing the C4 Corvette. In 1984, acers John Greenwood, ave Heinz, nd Rod Millen entered a BF Goodrich-sponsored 1984 Corvette in the premiere Showroom Stock race: the Longest Day at Nelson Ledges, hio, weeping the field until mechanical gremlins put it out after nine hours. It was the only time Corvette failed to win a Showroom Stock race until the SCCA banned America’s Sports Car from the class at the end of 1987. The SCCA compensated the factory by instituting a Corvette-only Showroom Stock series for 1988. Chevrolet named it the Corvette Challenge series and, n partnership with Goodyear, xxon, nd Mid America Designs (now Mid America Motorworks), osted a million-dollar purse. Chevrolet built 56 street-legal Corvettes with 4+3 manual transmissions and Z51 Performance suspensions. They were then shipped to Protofab in Wixom, ichigan, nd fitted with competition equipment that included a racing seat, afety harness and roll cage, fire-extinguisher system, erformance brake pads and special cooling ducting. Special Corvette Challenge emblems, ow-restriction exhaust and shaved Goodyear Gatorback tires completed the modifications. Engines built at Flint were matched for consistent power output and sealed before installation. Running in support of Cart and Trans Am races, he series was broadcast on the fledgling SpeedVision network and was an instant hit with racing fans who liked the shoulder-to-shoulder action and forceful maneuvering that are inherent in any racing that places talent over technical advantage. Presented in "as-raced" condition, his 1988 Challenge Car #5 is one of 56 built in 1988. It was originally campaigned by Precisions Auto Centers and driven by Mike Hughes in eight of the nine rounds. The #5 Challenge Car spent 10 years on display in the New York Corvette Americana Hall Of Fame Museum. It has been bought and sold by Mike Yager, r. twice. With only 3,062 original miles, his car is one of the most original and undamaged Challenge cars in existence and an excellent candidate for vintage racing.

Highlights

· Challenge Car #5

· 1 of 56 built in 1988

· 3,062 original miles

· Unrestored

· Preserved in as-raced condition

·Never wrecked

·Driven by Mike Hughes in 8 of 9 races

·Campaigned by Precisions Auto Centers

· 4+3 manual transmission

· Z51 performance suspension

· Shipped to Protofab in Wixom, ichigan for performance upgrades

· Fitted with racing seat, afety harness and roll cage

· Fire extinguisher system

· Performance brake pads

· Special ducted cooling

· Low restriction exhaust

· Special Corvette Challenge emblems

· Shaved Goodyear Gatorback tires

· Bought and sold by Mike Yager, r. twice

· On display at the New York Corvette Americana Hall Of Fame Museum for 10 years

· Includes historical documentation and some original paperwork