Corvettes trending in new directions at 2024 SVRA Opener at Sebring

For its 2024 Sebring opener, SVRA organizers invited a group of prized collectible Corvettes for display; and a sizeable group of racers from the Optima Battery Ultimate Street Series.

It was to compensate for SVRA Corvette entries that were 50% off from the past and none in the ultra-quick Groups 10 & 11.

The gifted Edward Sevadjian from Richardson TX nearly won SVRA Group 6/12A driving Steve Sessions’ # 63 hopped-up Corvette.  # 11 Jim Glass from Hudson NY finished mid-field and # 35 Louis Guerra from Lewisville TX and # 33 Woody Smith from Merritt Island FL were at the back end.

# 4 Ray Zisa from Newington CT bested fellow competitor # 14 Rick Ortman from Kokomo IN C4 ex World Challenge Corvettes that ran well.

# 24 Bill Treffert from Naples FL was the only Solid Axle Corvette in combined Group 1/2/4.

The Display included two immaculately restored Corvettes that Briggs Cunningham raced in 1960 at Le Mans; and a 1952 C4R replica.  They also did parade laps during lunch breaks.

The same deal applied to other pedigreed Corvettes that raced in IMSA and the Corvette Challenge that were curated by George Haddad of Fabulous Restorations, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale.

Twelve Corvettes among a group of 51 Camaros, Mustangs etc. entered at Sebring in the Optima Battery Ultimate Street series.  These must look like race cars and be street legal.

Six more events are scheduled across the country with stages that include slalom and rally.

We will keep our eyes on vintage Corvettes at Road America in July, The Rolex Monterey Motor Racing Reunion in August, the Watkins Glen Vintage GP in September and Circuit of the Americas in October.

Photos thanks to Larry VanScoy, John Avery and Visors Down.