With the introduction of the all-new 2020 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette, big changes were also afoot for the Corvette racing program. Out went the C7R, and in came the C8R. Debuting last year in an uncommon silver livery, the C8R is set to take on the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans in the more traditional yellow paint scheme. Let's see what Chevrolet has in store for us with the introduction of the new Corvette C8R.

Out With The Old ...

Corvette C7R 2
via The Drive

The C7R was unveiled in 2014 at the International Auto Show in Detroit to much fanfare. She immediately went out on the GT3 circuit winning at Long Beach, Laguna Seca, and Watkins Glen. Over the next several years she'd amass impressive victories with her 100th win coming in 2016 at Lime Rock.

... In With The New

Corvette C8R 2
via GM

But with the much improved chassis and mid-engine layout of the 2020 Corvette street car, the racing version benefited as well. And while the C7R was still competitive, she was increasingly under pressure from competing automaker's mid engine layouts which offered superior performance. The Porsche 911 RSR and Ford GT in particular showed the limits of the front engine C7R on the GT3 circuit. But not anymore!

What's Next

Corvette C8R 3
via Autoblog

The C8R has already went through thousands of hours of development and and is poised to get atop the leadership rankings once again. With a stout 500 hp 5.5 liter flat plane crank V-8, superior balance, and seasoned drivers behind the wheel, she'll give the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Ford GT privateers a run for their money. And oh yeah, the C8R will also be clad in her familiar yellow livery just like past models. Make sure to tune in to the 2020 IMSA season and Le Mans to cheer them on. Buckle up.

Source: Autoblog