Although the Roar Before the Rolex—IMSA’s preseason warmup for its premier series—was mandatory for all the teams expecting to contest the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the clear star attraction of the weekend was the pair of Corvette C8.Rs making their public, at-speed debut.
We were fortunate enough to beat the crowds to the garages and snap a few photos of the cars …
Holy crap balls that's cool.
What's with the shark fin/tiny snorkles on the nose?
Yep - Cool car, like the production version. Hope there's minimal teething problems in the big debut.
Snorkels are pitot tubes that measure speed through air velocity.
Dashpot said:Snorkels are pitot tubes that measure speed through air velocity.
I have been wondering that. What is the advantage of having an air velocity reading over other sources of speed?
I'd imagine it is to compare with all the other data being collected. Knowing how fast the car is going over the ground but also how fast it is going through the air is probably very important for them as they make setup decisions and changes. I do wonder if they are just there for testing purposes or if they will remain on the car in competition.
You know your car is badass when it has pitot tubes! 
The C7Rs had the pitot, too, as do the Acura NSX GT3s. I asked about them at the VIR last fall and they said they use the data to measure the downforce they're generating.
Floating Doc said:Dashpot said:Snorkels are pitot tubes that measure speed through air velocity.
I have been wondering that. What is the advantage of having an air velocity reading over other sources of speed?
Eric Orr
Anything airflow related is best measure at a relative airspeed rather than a relative groundspeed. Things like downforce and brake cooling and air intake velocity will change dramatically based on whether you're driving into a 20 mph headwind or driving away from a 20 mph tailwind.
Any specs on the engine?
The similarities between the C8R and my Fiesta ST are striking. It has 4 wheels...I have 4 wheels! It uses a steering wheel...I steer with a wheel! It has brakes to stop...I have brakes to stop! While the fine details vary a bit ($10K carbon-ceramic disks vs $20 steel) the basics are essentially the same.
MadScientistMatt said:Any specs on the engine?
5.5L, DOHC, flat plane v8. 500hp/480ft-lbs in (restricted) race trim. Sounds different, but not bad:
I watched a few videos of the C8.R last night. I like the sound better than the C7.R, but it is not as distinctive.
MadScientistMatt said:Any specs on the engine?
I think just the basics: 5.5 liters, DOHC, V8, naturally aspirated, flat-plane crankshaft, 500 horsepower in race trim.
What sweet hardware! With the new 911 it would be a really exciting season... But for the BOP-d out of existence Fords!
David S. Wallens said:MadScientistMatt said:Any specs on the engine?
I think just the basics: 5.5 liters, DOHC, V8, naturally aspirated, flat-plane crankshaft, 500 horsepower in race trim.
Has the engine been used before in a race car? One good thing about the Ford GT motor is that it was in a DP car for a few seasons before racing in the GT.
And it looks like the right season to officially end the GT factory effort.... 
In reply to alfadriver :
Mid-engine Ford GTs vs. mid-engine Corvettes at Daytona would have been cool.
Love behind the scenes photos of stuff like this.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Indeed it would have been cool. Alas, I have no idea what is going to happen with the GT now, with the recent corporarte update. I know racing completed it's goals.... Just like in the 60's ironically. The difference now is that no more racing at all with the cars vs. letting some privateers run it.
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