Most HPDE, Time Trial, and other road course groups are requiring front and rear tow hooks for all cars, to speed up "extractions" when someone has an off track excursion, runs out of fuel on track, or suffers some other breakdown. For most cars there are some simple "screw in" tow hook options, but many chassis do not have an easy to install tow hook from the factory - like the C6.
There area few "bolt on" tow hooks and straps for these cars, but many of those require permanent holes be cut into *painted* sections of the bodywork. Others require the removal and replacement of well engineered crash beam structures - often replaced with little tubing with a hook on there.
Even for the HPDE groups that don't yet require tow hooks, if you have an "off" or some other breakdown that necessitates your car being "brought in on the hook", the wrecker driver will find a way to drag your car back to the paddock. Sometimes they have to pull you out of a muddy ditch or tire wall, or maybe it is a simple "flat tow" via on a strap to the pits. If whatever they hook onto damages your car's costly paint or bodywork, that's on you - nothing should slow down an event because you brought an under-prepared car.
We looked at the variety of options for front and rear tow hooks for the C6 Corvette chassis, didn't love what we found, so we came up with some new options. This entry is for our "bolt on" rear tow hook kit for the 2005-2013 C6 Corvette with the steel frame (base + GS).
This hook is made from 3/16" thick steel, CNC plasma cut and bent on a fixture - all in-house at Vorshlag. The front tow hook has the added benefit of making your C6 easier to winch into and out of your trailer - which can save time and your back. Ever tried to crawl out the open window of a C6??
INSTRUCTIONS
This C6 Corvette front tow hook requires removing the left plastic fender liner during the install, and removing the bolts from the left side of the radiator support. Then sliding the hook between the factory bolt hole on the left side and adding the additional bolts to secure it in place. Tighten everything up and reinstall the fender liner.
The front tow hook comes through a black plastic section of the front intake. There is minor trimming of the black plastic required. This tow hook can be removed easily without having to do any bodywork or repaint the bumper if you want to put the car "back to stock" later.
There are many more steps shown in the two links below:
Please read those instructions linked above carefully before buying either the front or rear C6 tow hook kits. We cannot offer returns for tow hooks that have been installed and scratched up (ie: no longer new), and it is a huge waste of time if you get it and "change your mind". We will have a restocking fee if you want to return these, and they have to come back to us perfect, so again - PLEASE read the instructions.
OPTIONS
RAW FINISH
This hook is made from plate steel, CNC plasma cut, bent and welded on a fixture - all here at Vorshlag. We then add a powder coat finish in gloss red. If you want a set in another color, call us - we will make you a "raw steel" set you can have painted or coated in whatever color you want.
There is no cost savings there, and it will add extra time to have one made in raw (we normally make these in batches). Call ahead if you are in a hurry and want raw finish, to check our fab schedule.
