2024 Corvette E-Ray Is Banned from Competing
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray has a need for speed — but it’s not allowed to compete in National Club Competitions
Chevy’s quickest Corvette to date isn’t even out yet, but the 2024 Corvette E-Ray allowed to attend any official events hosted by the National Counsel of Corvette Clubs (NCCC). This would, sadly, include any and all events at race tracks sanctioning track days for other ‘Vette owners. While it’s easy to assume that the reason it’s not allowed to compete would be because it would leave other participants in the dust — but it’s actually a little more gruesome than that. The E-Ray is considered an incredibly high risk, due to it’s 1.9 kWh battery pack.
While it’s true that battery packs are much less likely to spontaneously combust than internal combustion engine vehicles, blazes originating from all-electric or hybrid vehicles burn a lot hotter, and are much more difficult to control. Therefore, due to the high temperatures the battery pack would sustain during intense usage, the NCCC quickly implemented a ban on the E-Ray, reading: “Electric Vehicles/Hybrids using lithium type battery packs are prohibited in Competitive events. If driven to NCCC events, they should be parked 30 feet minimum from structures or other vehicles.”
Their fear isn’t all that ridiculous. Lithium-ion battery fires can burn for hours, sometimes even days — and even after the flames are gone the battery packs hold onto a lot of heat. Following the world’s rapid transition to an all-electric world, new fire extinguishers have been developed to squelch flames more effectively than traditional ones. However, they’re costly, and not widely available. Therefore, the NCCC doesn’t want them posing a potentially costly or fatal risk to other members.
V8 small-block meets an electric motor
It’s a shame too, considering that the E-Ray will make a combined 655 horsepower from the 6.2 liter small-block V8 paired with an electric motor. With Chevy’s eAWD added to the equation, the hybrid can go from zero to 60 mph in a hair splitting 2.5 seconds. With all the power and technology, the E-Ray would be a perfect track day contender — especially since the eAWD system is adaptable. In what Chevy calls “Stealth Mode,” the E-Ray can travel up to 45 mph without using the gasoline engine.
While it’s sad the NCCC doesn’t want the E-Ray on a track, it doesn’t mean other clubs or organizations would turn it away. Maybe after the new Vette can prove itself under high stress situations, the NCCC will redact the ban.
Photos: Chevrolet
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