It’s only fitting that since we’ve brought you today’s new Corvette news we continue with a look back at the long and storied history Corvettes have had tearing up road courses across the world. This massive, 17-page photo gallery of racing Corvettes that starts at the beginning and comes through today.

Lots of the greatest names in American racing got their starts in Corvettes. Mark Donohue is one name that seals the deal on that. Personally, our two favorite eras of photos in this gallery (which also contains the race info on the car and where it finished on the day it was photographed!) are the earliest stuff and the mid to late 1970s.

There are lots of great photos of guys wrenching at the wheel, exhaust pipes belching fire, and ‘Vettes with their tails hung out sideways. If your boss gives you crap about ditching actual work for this stuff, just tell him that you are folliowing up on some breaking news and it’s your civic duty to be an informed citizen. Just leave the part about Corvettes and racing out of it.

Here’s the link to the RacingSportscars.com gallery.