A modified 2017 production Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will debut at the annual Vegas to Reno race, which is known as the longest off-road race in the United States. Chad Hall of Hall Racing will compete against 350 contestants in the 550-mile race, began today at 9:30 a.m. and ends sometime this morning.
“The Colorado ZR2 is one of the most capable production platforms we’ve used as a foundation for our racing program,” says Hall. “The base Colorado is strong and robust with the expected advantages of a midsize package. ZR2 adds great technology, like the Multimatic DSSV dampers and the front and rear locking differentials that are vital to stock class desert racing.”
Entered in class 7300, which is comprised of stock production mid-sized pick-ups and SUVs, Hall Racing’s modification to the Colorado ZR2 includes sanctioning body-mandated safety items like a roll cage, 44-gallon racing food tank, and racing seats with safety harnesses. KC HiLites racing lights, two-way radios, and a GPS system have also been added to help Hall navigate the course’s terrains, including desert wallows, dry lake beds, and mountain passes as high as 8,000 feet above sea level.
The truck retains the stock ZR2’s 3.6-liter V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, along with a modified version of the vehicles’ Multimatic DSSV damper technology. The crew cab ZR2 also acts as a testbed for Chevy Performance and a range of potential parts to be offered for the ZR2 and the standard Colorado.
“The components being tested on this truck are ultimately intended to take the already-exceptional off-road capability of the Colorado to the next level,” says Russ O’Blenes, director of performance variants, and parts and motorsports at General Motors Co. “Racing them allows us to quickly understand their performance attributes and reliability in the extreme environment of off-road racing, ensuring the highest performing components for Colorado customers.”
Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features front and rear tracks that have been widened by 3.5 inches and a suspension lifted by two inches. Functional rockers have been added for better performance over rocks and obstacles, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for better off-road clearance.
