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Chevrolet Unveils Two Unique 2008 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Cars

Two-time Indy winner Fittipaldi to drive Corvette Z06 E85 concept Pace
Car

INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 – Known for their charismatic
designs and superior performance, the pack-leading Pace Cars share a
special place in Indianapolis 500 lore. History will be made at the
2008
Indianapolis 500 when a pair of distinctive yet highly differentiated
Corvette models will serve as the Official Pace Cars – one highlighting
Chevrolet’s commitment to fuel solutions and the other marking 30 years
of Corvette’s Pace Car heritage.

Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials gathered at the
Indianapolis Auto Show to make the historic announcement Dec. 27.

One of the Pace Cars is a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept that runs
on E85 ethanol fuel, a domestically produced alternative fuel similar
to
the 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol that powers all of the race cars in
the IndyCar Series. It will be driven during the race’s pace lap by
two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

The other Official Pace Car is a black-and-silver commemorative edition
that marks the 30th anniversary of the celebrated 1978 Pace Car – the
first Corvette to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet
will
produce a total of 500 Pace Car replicas in both coupe and convertible
form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette’s Bowling
Green, Ky., assembly plant.

“Although not a production FlexFuel vehicle, the Corvette Z06 E85
concept Pace Car is a high-performance example of Chevrolet’s
gas-friendly to gas-free initiative, demonstrating viable fuel
solutions,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “As an ethanol
refiner in his native Brazil, Emerson Fittipaldi is the fitting
Chevrolet champion to help support GM’s efforts with E85 and celebrate
30 years of the Corvette pacing the Indianapolis 500.”

The 92nd Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. It will
be the Corvette’s 10th appearance as the Official Pace Car – a record
unmatched by any other vehicle.

“It’s only fitting that Corvette will be the first car to earn the
distinction of having two models pace the Indianapolis 500 in the same
year,” said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and
chief operating officer. “Chevrolet and Corvette are a vital part of
the
rich history of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ and we’re honored
to
have a great champion of the race and of alternative fuels, Emerson
Fittipaldi, as this year’s Pace Car driver.”

Corvette Z06 E85 concept

The Corvette Z06 E85 concept Pace Car is based on the production Z06 –
already one of the fastest and most powerful cars on the market – and
blends its performance with the high-octane, renewable alternative fuel
that is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States.

E85 is blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Its
benefits
include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and a reduced dependence
on petroleum. GM is the leader in E85 production models, with more than
2.5 million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road – with more
on
the way. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

Apart from the fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required
to run E85, the Z06 concept Pace Car is mechanically stock.
It is distinguished by a unique Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint
scheme that changes between hues of green and gold when viewed from
different angles and in different light. A subtle checkered flag
pattern
also is part of the paint scheme. Safety equipment and strobe lights
are
the only other equipment added to the car.

Emerson Fittipaldi: Ambassador of racing and ethanol

After winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 while driving for
Chevrolet – and spending 30 years in his native Brazil as a refiner of
ethanol – Emerson Fittipaldi is the perfect ambassador to lead the
Indianapolis 500 in an E85-powered Corvette Z06.

“Most of the vehicles in Brazil are powered by ethanol produced from
crops grown in the country, so I understand how a domestically produced
renewable fuel can help the energy solutions of a nation,” Fittipaldi
said. “And the E85-powered Z06 concept Pace Car proves economic and
environmental consciousness can be fun and exhilarating. I can’t wait
to
get it on the racetrack.”

Fittipaldi, whose personal cars include a Corvette Z06 and a Camaro
awarded after winning the 1993 Indianapolis 500, resides in both
Florida
and Brazil. He has interests in several Brazilian ethanol companies and
is an ardent champion of ethanol as a viable alternative to gasoline.

Brazil – the fifth-largest country in the world – is a global leader in
ethanol usage in automobiles. Approximately 70 percent of Brazilian new
cars are equipped with FlexFuel systems that allow the use of a
gasoline/ethanol mix or pure ethanol. Ethanol production has grown
tremendously during the last three decades and has allowed the country
to practically wean itself completely from imported oil.

30th Anniversary commemorative edition

Commemorating one of the most recognizable Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars,
the Corvette 30th Anniversary Pace Car features a black exterior with
silver graphics that honors the 1978 model – the production replicas of
which became instant collectibles and continue to stand as an iconic
symbol of Corvette’s heritage at the front of the Indy field.

In addition to the exterior color scheme, the anniversary models are
equipped with a special, two-tone titanium-color interior, with the
Indianapolis 500 logo embroidered on the seats. Coupe and convertible
models are available. Each replica will be personally signed and
numbered by Fittipaldi.

Both the coupe and convertible come equipped with Corvette’s 3LT option
package, Z51 performance package and dual-mode exhaust. Additional
features include:

.Choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic
transmissions

.LS3 small block V8 with 436 horsepower

.New-for-2008 forged chrome five-spoke aluminum wheels

.Corvette Z06 rear spoiler

.Silver checkered flag graphics

.Indy 500 logo fender badges

More information on pricing and availability will be announced a later
date.

Corvette at Indy

The 2008 edition of the Indianapolis 500 represents Corvette’s 10th
time
as the official Pace Car – and a record fifth-consecutive year – and
Chevrolet’s 19th time as the manufacturer selected to lead the field.
Corvette’s pace years and details include:

.1978 – Driven by 1960 race winner Jim Rathmann; Chevrolet produced
6,502 production replicas

.1986 – Driven by famed pilot Chuck Yeager; all 7,315 production
convertibles were considered Pace Car convertibles and included
official
graphics (to be installed at the owner’s discretion)

.1995 – Driven by then Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins; 527
production replicas produced

.1998 – Driven by 1963 race winner Parnelli Jones when an injury
prevented golfer Greg Norman from performing the duty; 1,158 production
replicas produced

.2002 – Driven by actor Jim Caviezel; no production replicas produced
but graphics were available through SPO – approximately 300 sets sold

.2004 – Driven by actor Morgan Freeman; no production replicas produced

.2005 – Driven by Gen. Colin Powell; no production replicas produced

.2006 – Driven by cycling champion Lance Armstrong; first Corvette Z06
Pace Car; no production replicas produced

.2007 – Driven by actor Patrick Dempsey; 500 production replicas – all
convertibles

.2008 – Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi; 500 production replicas – coupes
and convertibles

The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day spectator sporting event
and the most prestigious auto race in the world. “The Greatest
Spectacle
in Racing” has been run every year since 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, except for the periods during the United States’
participation
in world wars in 1917-18 and 1942-45. The winner of the 92nd
Indianapolis 500 will earn racing immortality, a spot on the famed
Borg-Warner Trophy and a record winner’s purse of at least $2.5
million.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has
been
the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908,
GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global
headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33
countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold
globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC,
GM
Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM’s
OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security
and
information services. More information on GM can be found at
www.gm.com.

***

2008 IMS tickets: Tickets for all three world-class events in 2008 at
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP –
are on sale.

Fans have three easy methods to buy tickets: Online at
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling
(800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally
between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS
Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8
a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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