You might think the 2017 Camaro ZL1 1LE is the baddest Camaro offered by Chevy, but you’d be wrong. In fact, the Bowtie has a race-ready version of its pony car designed to comply with GT4 regulations. Not surprisingly, Chevy calls it the Camaro GT4.R. And like other automakers that make factory-built race cars available to the public, so will Chevy allow anyone to purchase this competition-proven track monster. Of course, it doesn’t come cheap.

The Camaro GT4.R will cost $259,000.

But let’s back up. The Camaro GT4.R is based on the ZL1 1LE and built by the specialists at Pratt & Miller in cooperation with General Motors. Naturally, the GT4.R has to comply with the GT4 race regulations, which mandate it have an internal safety cage, specific metrics on the aero bits, and fit within the requirements of engine output, among other things. Sadly, the ZL1’s mighty LT4 V-8 and its 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque are beyond the specs for the racing series. As such, Pratt & Miller swap in a naturally aspirated LT1 V-8 modified with only a new camshaft, stronger main bearings, and a dry-sump oil system. The result is 480 horsepower that will run laps all day long.

Behind the all-aluminum V-8 is a custom Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters. Out back, a limited-slip differential keeps power moving to both wheels.

Surprisingly, the rest of the car is very similar to the ZL1 1LE, though everything is formed to meet GT4 spec. This includes the front dive planes and the rear wing. The doors and front fascia are now carbon fiber and the front fenders are wider, though the GT4.R uses the factory, 305-series tire size. Around back, the GT4.R actually gets narrower tires than stock, moving from 325- to 305-series tires. Of course, the tires themselves aren’t the road-going type but comply with GT4 regulations.

The Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R might be expensive, but it already has two victories under its belt. It took the checkered flag at the 2017 IMSA Continental Tire Race and the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge GTS. So, do you own a race team and need a new whip? The folks at Pratt & Miller want to hook you up. Just have your checkbook ready.

References

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

Read our full review on the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.

Read more Chevrolet news.