Based on the street Corvette, the C5-R was more a silhoutte car than a modified C5. Besides being longer, lower and wider, the Corvette lost some 320 kg in the process. In the best of US motoring tradition the already potend LS1 grew from 5,7 to 6 liters.

The C5-R made a strong debuted in the 1999 Daytona 24 hrs, with 3rd place in GT2. During the rest of the season progress was made, but reliability caused them to finish behind the Vipers.

In 2000 Corvette was back in Florida to score an impressive 1st and 2nd overall at Daytona. After 5th and 6th in Sebring the C5-R crossed the pond and headed for Le Mans. Although they were beaten for pole by the more "LM" experienced Oreca Viper team, they did managed to beat them in the race.

In 2001 the Corvette had little oposition as Oreca concentrated on its prototype campaign, the main challenge in the ALMS coming from the new Saleen. The car's remarkable 2001 racing season produced eight victories in ten races, including an overall win in the 24 Hours of Daytona and a one-two finish in the GTS class at Le Mans.

The C5-R repeated its one-two victory at Le Mans and also dominated the GTS class in the American Le Mans Series. A new transaxle unit replaced the previous year's separate transmission and differential. Corvette faced stiff competition from the new Prodrive Ferrari 550 which led a good number of laps but had problems late leaving the victory to Corvette. With customer teams running Vipers benifiting from some late model modifications and the Prodrive Ferrari 550's, The GTS was the most action packed class off the ALMS.

At the 2003 season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring race, the C5-Rs remained in winning form, with one of them finishing first in class and eighth overall. At Le Mans the Automobile Club de l'Ouest announced additional restrictions on all 24 Hours of Le Mans competitors, reducing power by 10% in an attempt to slow the cars. The C5R's regular yellow paint scheme was dropped in favor of a special red, white, and blue color scheme to commemorate the Corvette's 50th anniversary. The Prodrive Ferraris had other plans and spoiled the anniversary and hopes for a three-in-a-row victory in the GTS class.
Back in the US Corvette Racing continued to dominate capturing every championship trophy in the ALMS, with five GTS victories, eight podium finishes and four pole positions.

In 2004 the Corvette was back at the 13 km long track with an even stronger package. In the race both the Ferraris and Corvettes were struck by problems, but in the end the C5-R came out on top, securing a 1-2 victory in the last outing at Le Mans for the works C5R.

2005 The Corvette C5R was not done being successful. In FIA GT, the new Corvette Europe team won races at Imola and Zhuhai. The Euro team also managed a number of podium finishes. In the ALMS the Pacific Coast Racing team achieved some podiums behind the factory C6-R.

C5-R 00 data:
Lenght : 4650 mm, Width: 1941 mm, Wheelbase: 2660 mm, Tyres: Goodyear, Wheels : BBS 25x12-18 & 28x14-18