The development of the Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R into a customer race car to FIA GT3 specs has been our assignment from GM for the past 2 years.

I should comment that this series, the ADAC GT Masters, is the most prestigious series in GT3 which is now the most popular GT class in the motorsports world, contested in Europe, UK, Mid East, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and South America. Our job is to supply teams with race cars.

Every formidable car manufacturer has an entry in this series and the German makers, in particular, value success in this series. Audi, Porsche, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Bentley, et al. The budgets are large, and the competition is very, very close. All cars are subject to Balance of Performance compliance. For example, the whole field is covered by 1.8 seconds at Sachsenring.

The Callaway cars in this race are Blue/White Valvoline, no. 77, and Black/Orange no. 69, and the Red/White Whelen machine no. 31.

Sachsenring – May 30

This is the maiden win for the new Corvette C7 GT3-R. As we have felt since the first test, the great potential is now proven.

This is truly a remarkable race. Especially the start by Daniel Keilwitz. And, at the pitstop, a brilliant drive by his co-driver Jules Gounon.

What you see at the start was a very good example of Balance of Performance. The Mercedes was carrying "success ballast" from its win the week before, while we had standard weight. After 4 laps, the extra weight on the MB made him pay the price . . . fun to watch it again with that knowledge in mind. It’s not so much that were fast, it was that they were too porky. Brakes and tires suffer. However, Daniel Keilwitz is a demon starter, no?

Lausitzring – June 3/5
This race was tougher for us because we had to carry the "success ballast" as a result of our prior win. (We always have to carry 40 kg on top of our base weight. Then, for first place they add 30 kg, second 20, and third 10, but for the next race only.) Even with that handicap, for us to finish 1-2 was very gratifying. This championship is so highly valued by the German GT makers . . . they are at a loss to explain why they are being beaten by an American car. If you haven’t seen one of these GT Masters races, you are in for a treat.

Nürburgring – June 25
The Callaway Competition team traveled to the Nürburgring, planning to get some experience in VLN racing in preparation for next year’s 24 hour race. Unfortunately, a series of obstacles ultimately resulted in the team’s withdrawal from competition.

Team management decided to concentrate on competing with a single car instead of two cars. Also, Callaway driver Eric Curran was not able to comply with licensing requirements. Consequently, the Whelen Engineering No. 31 Corvette would be piloted by GT3 champion Daniel Keilwitz, his ADAC GT teammate Patrick Assenheimer and veteran American driver Boris Said.

Foggy, rainy weather limited practice sessions and postponed qualifying several times. When the Callaway C7 GT3-R finally got out to qualify, the track was still very wet. In fact, exiting the Fuchsröhre, there was so much water on the track that the car hydroplaned, spinning into the guardrail and damaging body and suspension parts. Since handling was severely affected and suspect axle components could not be checked quickly or reliably, Callaway team management reluctantly decided to withdraw.

It was especially disappointing, considering the generous support from Whelen Engineering and the driving talent that the team brought to the racetrack. Now Callaway Competition looks forward to ADAC GT Masters racing at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 22 – 24, and returning to the Nürburgring in August.

Overall, the ADAC GT Masters series main site is here. Let us know if you can join us in person at any of the races listed on the calendar here.