FARO and Corvette Racing Rev Up for Le Mans

Published: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - 22:00

(FARO Technologies: Lake Mary, Florida) -- FARO Technologies Inc., a maker of portable computer-aided measurement arms and laser trackers, is increasing its role as technology sponsor for the GTS-champion Corvette Racing Team, which is preparing for the most grueling race of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Corvette Racing—run by Pratt & Miller on behalf of General Motors—has used the FaroArm in the design, quality control, and race-specification compliance of their vehicles, and will now also use FARO’s Gage and Laser ScanArm. The Gage validates parts in their machine shop, and the ScanArm reverse-engineers components. This allows the company’s engineers and technicians to accurately and efficiently produce features from individual components and subassemblies, to complete turnkey road and race cars.

“We use the FaroArm, Gage, and ScanArm in order to design, construct, and analyze ‘virtual’ components, CFD [computational fluid dynamics] systems, and complete cars, every facet of a project from initial conception to the finished product,” says Gary Pratt, vice president of Pratt & Miller. “The combination of our team’s expertise and FARO’s portable, computerized measuring technologies offers a total design solution, so we have unmatched time and cost efficiencies, accuracy, and performance.”

Pratt & Miller has evolved from a small auto design and production company into a highly successful engineering and racing operation. Achievements to date include multiple wins and championship titles at the most prestigious production-based racing events in America and Europe. In 2001, Pratt & Miller’s Corvette Racing program earned a victory in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, followed by a one-two finish in the GTS class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Corvette Racing has typically won nine out of 10 ALMS races every year since then, except in 2004, when they were undefeated, as they are thus far in 2007.

“They’ve consistently beaten top-level Ferraris, Maseratis, Aston Martins, Saleens, and Vipers,” FARO vice president Pete Edmonds said. “Pratt & Miller consistently demonstrates that it fields the best GT1 team in the world, and FARO is proud to be part of it.”

A Pratt &Miller Race Team Corvette C6.R will be on display at FARO’s upcoming trade shows, including Quality Expo at Rosemont (Chicago), IL, in September. For more information, visit www.faro.com/content.aspx?ct=us&content=news&item=999&tab=2. Pratt & Miller is on the Web at www.prattmiller.com/.

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