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General Motors Media Press Release

FOR RELEASE: November 2, 1999
CONTACT(S):  Kirk Weeks
(317) 843.5444

Corvette's Legend Continues at Le Mans in 2000

LAS VEGAS - The Chevrolet Corvette added another chapter to its storied history this year as it returned to road racing with the C5-R Corvette. Today Chevrolet announced that the legend will continue next year as General Motors' most prestigious nameplate will participate in the 68th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 17-18, 2000.

The legendary race at the historic Circuit of the Sarthe in Le Mans, France, is sports-car racing's biggest stage and provides the ultimate test of both man and machine. Chevrolet is excited Corvette will again become part of the rich history and tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and take the challenge to prove its "global" expertise in automotive engineering and design against car makers from all over the world.

"The Corvette Racing program reinforces and underscores our commitment to the Corvette and its magnificent heritage," explains Jim Campbell, Corvette brand manager. "Racing in such a prestigious event like the 24 Hours of Le Mans just furthers that commitment.

"We're looking forward to showing the rest of the world what so many Corvette owners already know - that Corvette is one of the premier sports cars in the world."

Dave Hill, vehicle line executive and chief engineer, Corvette, said Chevrolet wanted to use the race program to "showcase Corvette's great integrity, quality and pure sports-car character. We want to increase consumer share of mind for the C5 Corvette not only in the U.S., but globally as well."

Chevrolet officially returned to road racing earlier this year with the introduction of the GM Goodwrench Service Plus-sponsored C5-R Corvette, a GM-engineered GTS sports car based on the production C5. The C5-R garnered a podium finish in its debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January with a third-place finish. Through five races in its inaugural season, the C5-R has three podium finishes including a pair of second-place finishes at the Sears Point and Laguna Seca races in the American Le Mans Series. The GM Goodwrench Service Plus C5-R Corvette concludes its 1999 race season this weekend at the Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 7