Canuck Corvette C8

[Phildaupho]

The Canadian AWA Racing Team [now branded as Team 13 Racing] competed with a IMSA GTD Corvette C8 in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans in a very patriotic Canadian livery. Initially I wanted to build a replica of the racecar until I realized how different it was from a stock C8 so I ended up building this model as a fantom special edition street version resembling the race car. It was constructed pretty much box stock but I did cut the engine compartment cover area from the body so it could be painted separately and allow the great looking mid-engine arrangement to be completely viewed in its entirety. Additionally, I cut away the lower rear valence so it could be painted separately. A friend cut the white maple leaves with decal paper on his plotter. They were applied over Tamiya Bright Red.

Check out this delightful video on Facebook of the AWA Corvette being topped up with 100% Canadian fuel.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1666186894040222

 

[Jim B]

Great looking Corvette.  Well done.

[Rich Chernosky]

Great idea Phil and well executed.  Who were the drivers BTW.

[Phildaupho]

58 minutes ago, Jim B said:

Great looking Corvette.  Well done.

 

20 minutes ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Great idea Phil and well executed.  Who were the drivers BTW.

Thanks guys - The main drivers for AWA's Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R are Orey Fidani who owns the team, Matt Bell and Lars Kern, who team up in the #13 car for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The car races in a black and gold livery for the IMSA races. These drivers won the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona in the GTD class. They did complete the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans - 9th in class and have earned a spot on the grid for the 2026 Le Mans. 

[Mike 1017]

MOST EXCELLENT

[espo]

Like the patriotic theme and the paint finish. Clean interior and engine detailing. 

[bisc63]

Great looking model, and really liking the inspiration car as well! Good job.

[dphipps]

This Canuck approves! Over the years I've noticed there seems to be a higher ratio of Canadians on modelling forums vs. other topics I'm into, is it because we spend half the year in winter??

I snapped this picture early yesterday morning and it's topical so I'd like to share, I hope you don't mind. Around 5am in Saskatoon

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[ismaelg]

Very nice!

I've been following this team since they won Daytona. Love the black and gold livery.  I really liked this Canadian livery they used in LeMans.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Steve H]

Another great build Phil! Those Corvettes have fantastic lines.

Cheers, Steve

[Misha]

Wow, what a great project Phil! Hopefully we may see a kit of the IMSA CR-8, till then we have your 🇨🇦AWA Special Edition Vette. A Striking scheme combined with your kit alterations make this an interesting build. A bonus is being able to view the rear end detail that is usually hidden. Great photos of an exquisite build. 

Yes, winter has arrived on Vancouver Island in the form of rain, and here in the Cowichan Valley it and the shorter days do contribute to greater bench time!

Congrats & Cheers Misha

[Phildaupho]

On 11/21/2025 at 7:24 AM, Mike 1017 said:

MOST EXCELLENT

 

On 11/21/2025 at 10:23 AM, espo said:

Like the patriotic theme and the paint finish. Clean interior and engine detailing. 

 

16 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Great looking model, and really liking the inspiration car as well! Good job.

 

12 hours ago, dphipps said:

This Canuck approves! Over the years I've noticed there seems to be a higher ratio of Canadians on modelling forums vs. other topics I'm into, is it because we spend half the year in winter??

I snapped this picture early yesterday morning and it's topical so I'd like to share, I hope you don't mind. Around 5am in Saskatoon

 

12 hours ago, PappyD340 said:

Very nice!

 

11 hours ago, ismaelg said:

Very nice!

I've been following this team since they won Daytona. Love the black and gold livery.  I really liked this Canadian livery they used in LeMans.

Thanks,
Ismael

 

8 hours ago, Steve H said:

Another great build Phil! Those Corvettes have fantastic lines.

Cheers, Steve

 

52 minutes ago, Misha said:

Wow, what a great project Phil! Hopefully we may see a kit of the IMSA CR-8, till then we have your 🇨🇦AWA Special Edition Vette. A Striking scheme combined with your kit alterations make this an interesting build. A bonus is being able to view the rear end detail that is usually hidden. Great photos of an exquisite build. 

Yes, winter has arrived on Vancouver Island in the form of rain, and here in the Cowichan Valley it and the shorter days do contribute to greater bench time!

Congrats & Cheers Misha

Thanks everyone for your comments which I really appreciate. I enjoyed this kit and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the C8. 

[slusher]

Fantastic Corvette!

[Phildaupho]

3 hours ago, slusher said:

Fantastic Corvette!

Thanks Carl