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Corvette
Finishes Third and Seventh in Baltimore Street Fight
Gavin
and Magnussen Recover from First-Turn Melee to Score Podium Finish
BALTIMORE,
Sept. 3, 2011 – Spins,
accidents, penalties and punctures all figured in Corvette
Racing's results in the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. Played out
before an enthusiastic crowd in the packed grandstands, the
two-hour race had everything expected in a street race – and
more.
When it was over, Oliver Gavin and Jan
Magnussen stood on the GT podium in third place. That was a
remarkable comeback after an incident in the first corner that
pinned the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R against the wall and
allowed the entire field to pass. Magnussen was on a mission,
going from 12th to fourth in 22 laps. The first-turn contact had
damaged a tire, however, and he pitted at 36 minutes. On four
fresh Michelins, the Dane turned the fastest lap of the race, and
then handed off to Gavin at the one-hour mark. Gavin was third
after the restart for the race's second full-course caution, and
held that position to the end in a battered and bruised race car.
Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers won the GT class in a Porsche 911
GT3 RSR, completing 71 laps on the 2.04-mile temporary circuit.
Magnussen started second in the GT class,
and found himself in the middle of a holiday traffic jam in the
first turn. "Turn 1 is a very tight and slippery corner, and
there was a bit of confusion," said Magnussen. "No one
was to blame, it was just a racing incident. I had a good start
and a good run on the BMW, and then a prototype ahead of us slowed
right down. When he braked, I had to follow the BMW around the
outside, but then someone came up the inside and it was a mess. I
was able to catch back up, pass most of the guys, and then got a
puncture. I went back out on fresh tires, and the car was
fantastic."
Olivier Beretta started fourth in the No.
3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, came out of the first turn in second,
survived a spin that dropped him to sixth, and was running third
when he pitted at 47 minutes to give the car to Tommy Milner.
"On the start, the No. 17 Porsche was
coming up the inside and I was trying to fight with him,"
Beretta said. "When Jan slowed for the corner, there was no
room between us. I'm sorry, but I couldn't do anything.
"Then in the Turn 5 chicane, as I was
braking, the car hit a bump and my foot slipped between the brake
and throttle pedals," Beretta reported. "For a moment it
was caught between the pedals, so instead of going straight, I
spun the car. I didn't hit anything, but it was a big
moment."
Milner was second in No. 3 Corvette C6.R
behind Bill Auberlen's class-leading No. 55 BMW when the race
restarted with 40 minutes remaining after a full-course caution to
replace a manhole cover that had gone astray. Turn 1 was again
Corvette Racing's Achilles heel as Milner had contact with the
BMW, damaging the front bodywork and incurring a stop-and-hold
60-second penalty.
"The team is giving us great cars and
making the right pit calls, but lately I've not been holding up my
end of the bargain," Milner said. "It was a tough race.
On the restart I was protecting the inside from an LMP car, and as
we went into the braking zone, Bill braked earlier than I
anticipated. I put myself in a situation where I braked hard and
locked the fronts, and made unfortunately made contact with him.
That effectively ended our race right there."
Gavin had to cope with the aftereffects of
the first-lap incident during his one-hour stint as the damaged
exhaust allowed fumes into the cockpit. He pulled to within three
seconds of the second-place No. 56 BMW, but after an excursion up
the escape road in Turn 1, he brought the No. 4 Corvette C6.R home
in third place.
"Unfortunately our race was decided
by the contact in the first turn," Gavin said. "After
that we were playing catch-up, and Jan did a brilliant of getting
the car into a decent position. Jan had to pit out of sequence
because we had a tire going down, but then after the restart we
were back in position to fight. With the damage to the car, as
soon as we lost the mechanical grip on the front tires, the car
started to push and slide the tires. My eyes were stinging because
of the damaged exhaust system, and I just tried to keep fresh air
blowing toward my helmet."
"As so often happens on street
circuits, the race track rules," said Corvette Racing program
manager Doug Fehan. "Today's race saw a stellar performance
by the engineering team and the pit crew, and at times we had the
fastest cars on the track – but it just wasn't to be today.
That's what makes street racing so interesting. It was great to be
part of a wildly successful Baltimore Grand Prix. We look forward
to this event continuing, and we'll come back with a
vengeance."
ABC will televise the Baltimore Grand Prix
on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET. Corvette Racing’s next
event is the six-hour ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey at
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, September 17, at 1:30 p.m.
PT. Live video coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the U.S.
and americanlemans.com for international users. ESPN2 will
televise the ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey on Sunday,
September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.
Baltimore
Grand Prix GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Laps
1.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR,
71
2.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 70
3.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 70
4.
48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 70
5.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 70
6.
Melo/Vilander, Ferrari F458 Italia, 70
7.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 70
8.
44 Neiman/Law, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 68
9.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 68
10.
02 Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 68
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Corvettes
Qualify Second and Fourth for
Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix
Corvettes
Quick on Downtown Street Circuit After Abbreviated Practice
Sessions
 BALTIMORE,
Sept. 2, 2011 – A late
start and a scant 75 minutes of practice meant that the learning
curve for the American Le Mans Series Baltimore Grand Prix was a
steep one. Jan Magnussen and Tommy Milner proved to be fast
learners when they qualified Corvette Racing's twin Compuware
C6.Rs second and fourth respectively for Saturday's two-hour
street race through downtown Baltimore.
 Magnussen was
quickest in the abbreviated final practice session, and then
turned his fastest lap at 1:31.950 (79.869 mph) in the No. 4
Corvette C6.R on his fifth qualifying lap on the 2.04-mile,
12-turn temporary street circuit. Milner turned a time of 1:32.224
(79.632 mph) on his fourth lap, the fifth quickest in GT. The No.
45 Porsche of Patrick Long, which was third on the provisional
qualifying list, was subsequently excluded for "unjustifiable
risk," moving the No. 3 Corvette up to fourth on the GT grid.
The No. 55 BMW M3 GT of Dirk Werner was the fastest qualifier in
the category at 1:31.362 (80.384 mph).
"We didn't
have a lot of time to make changes or to find a good rhythm, so
I'm very pleased with the work that the Corvette Racing engineers
did," Magnussen said. "All in all, I'm happy with the
car. Now we have to work with the extra bit of data we have, and I
think there is more speed to come. The walls get closer and closer
the harder you push – that's all part of it.
"There are
some massive bumps out there, and the cars are taking a beating
worse than Sebring," Magnussen added. "It's still good
fun to drive this circuit, and you're really feel that you're
racing in the heart of the city with the tall buildings all
around. It's cool, and I enjoy it."
Milner agreed:
"I'm really happy with the car here, no complaints. With so
little track time, I'm sure we can make the car a little better
here and there, but it's good just to get some laps in and get
comfortable with the track.
"I had a
qualifying lap that would have been quicker, but I got into Turn
10 a little wide in the dirty part of the track and had a big, big
moment. I was basically drifting through the turn!
"The track's
fun to drive and it will race well, too," Milner predicted.
"There are two good passing spots. It's going to be tough to
pass in GT because everyone is so close, but everything is slow
enough that you can rub some fenders and make things happen. I'm
looking forward to the race tomorrow."
The two-hour
Baltimore Grand Prix will start at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday,
September 3. Live video coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in
the U.S. and americanlemans.com for international users. ABC will
televise the Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4, at 4
p.m. ET.
Baltimore
Grand Prix GT Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 1:31.362
2.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 1:31.950
3.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 1:32.010
4.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 1:32.224
5.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:32.772
6.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:34.151
7.
99 Junqueira/Wilden, Jaguar XKR, 1:34.360
8.
48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:34.609
9.
98 Jones/Moran, Jaguar XKR, 1:35.911
10.
02 Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:38.674
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Software,
Simulations, and Experience Prepare Corvette Racing for Inaugural
Baltimore Race
BALTIMORE,
Aug. 31, 2011 – Before
the first practice session at the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix
begins, Corvette Racing's twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars
will already have made dozens of laps on the downtown street
circuit – thanks to sophisticated computer simulations.
The
first race on the 2.1-mile, 12-turn temporary street circuit is a
journey into the unknown for American Le Mans Series teams. With
limited practice time before Saturday's two-hour race, every
second on the track is precious. In order to maximize the
Corvettes' performance, the engineering team has analyzed the
layout and developed chassis setups on a virtual track.
"Beginning
with drawings provided by the organizers, we developed a projected
racing line based on the geometry of the track," said
Corvette Racing engineering director Doug Louth. "Then the
engineering team ran simulated laps to optimize gear ratios and
chassis setups. We've prepared maps for the drivers that show
projected shift points, maximum and minimum speeds, and potential
passing zones."
This
proprietary simulation program is used in a variety of GM
motorsports programs, from ALMS and Grand-Am road racing to NASCAR.
It's also used by engineers in the production Corvette group and
other technology partners.
"The
big variable on street circuits is the pavement," Louth
noted. "While we have data about elevation changes and the
crown in the road, we won't know how smooth or rough the asphalt
is until we're on site. There could be bumps that require
adjustments in the racing line, or the organizers might make
last-minute changes in the barriers and cones that define the
track perimeter. We have to be prepared for these possibilities.
"Corvette
Racing's years of experience on street circuits is definitely an
asset," he added. "We've raced on smooth tracks and on
rough ones, so we have the background to handle whatever we find
in Baltimore. We have a list of high-priority items to work
through in the limited track time that's available. All of the
ALMS teams are in a similar situation, so hopefully we can do a
better job than our competitors. It's exciting to go to a new
venue in a major metropolitan area, and this event is another step
forward for the American Le Mans Series."
Corvette
Racing's drivers know how to win on street courses. Olivier
Beretta (No. 3 Corvette C6.R) and Oliver Gavin (No.4 Corvette
C6.R) are the most successful ALMS drivers on temporary circuits
with seven wins each. In the Series' last visit to the
mid-Atlantic area at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., in 2002, Jan
Magnussen (No. 4 Corvette C6.R) scored an overall win in a Panoz
LMP1 prototype.
But
all eyes in Baltimore will be on the youngest driver on the
Corvette Racing squad, Tommy Milner. Milner was born in the
District of Columbia and grew up in nearby Virginia. Last Sunday,
he opened the Baltimore GP festivities by throwing the first pitch
at a Baltimore Orioles/New York Yankees baseball game at Camden
Yards, which is located inside the street circuit.
"The
last time the Series raced in the mid-Atlantic area, the event got
great reviews," Milner said. "I'm optimistic that the
Baltimore Grand Prix will be a success. Many of my friends have
never seen me race except on television, and they're excited about
going to this race. I'll have lots of support in the grandstands.
"This
race is going to be a real test," he noted. "With most
circuits, a driver can learn the layout on a simulator or a video
game, but we don't have that option for the Baltimore race. Street
tracks are always tough because there is not a lot of grip
initially, and the surface changes quite a bit from the first
practice to the race.
"A
good baseline setup makes it easier to get acclimated to a new
track, and I'm confident that the Corvette Racing crew will give
us one," Milner explained. "I'm comfortable with the
Corvette C6.R on a street circuit after coming from the back of
the pack in Long Beach. I consider Baltimore to be my home race,
and I want to do as good a job as possible. Every driver is on
equal footing, and it's all brand new. I feel confident that we'll
be on pace right away."
Corvette
Racing’s next event is the two-hour Baltimore Grand Prix on
Saturday, September 3, starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. Live video
coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the US and
americanlemans.com for international users. ABC will televise the
Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.
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Chevrolet
Celebrates Homecoming in the Heartland with
Ceremony at Landmark Overpass
 ELKHART
LAKE, Aug. 21, 2011 –
Great tracks are known by great landmarks. The Dunlop Bridge at Le
Mans, Eau Rouge at Spa-Francorchamps, the
Pagoda at Indianapolis Motor Speedway instantly identify these
celebrated circuits. For generations of road racing fans, the
Corvette Bridge was the symbol of Road America – and now it's
back.
Standing
like a sentinel at the approach to Turn 6, the Corvette Bridge has
witnessed amazing feats by drivers and machines since it first
carried the Corvette logo in 1963. Over the years, the Corvette
branding has reflected changes in graphic design and marketing
objectives. Now after a hiatus of 16 years, the Bridge is back.
 Representatives
of Chevrolet and Road America celebrated Chevy's homecoming today
as part of the Corvette World Tribute, a high-horsepower salute to
Chevrolet's 100th anniversary and Corvette's racing heritage.
Accompanied by historic race cars and legendary Corvette
personalities, the bridge was re-dedicated in a star-spangled
ceremony between races.
"The
relationship between Chevrolet and Road America runs deep,"
said Russ Clark, Chevrolet Product Marketing Director,
Midsize/Performance Cars and GM Racing. "As we celebrate
Chevrolet's 100th birthday, it's fitting that two icons of
American racing, Chevrolet and Road America, join forces. Road
America is known as 'America's National Park of Speed,' and
Corvette is America's iconic sports car. We're very proud to
celebrate our mutual heritage here in the heartland of America.
"The
cars and drivers participating in the Corvette World Tribute have
written volumes in Corvette's racing history," he added.
"Today we celebrate our past and look forward to Corvette's
future success at Road America and around the world."
Chevrolet's
multifaceted marketing partnership with Road America includes an
Official Vehicle program and activities during the track's
numerous events, including the American Le Mans Series, NASCAR
Nationwide Series, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, AMA Superbike,
SCCA June Sprints and National Championship Runoffs, and historic
car and motorcycle races.
"We're
honored that Road America has played a key role in Corvette's
racing heritage from the track's opening in 1955 to today,"
said George Bruggenthies, Road America president and general
manager. "We're excited to celebrate and renew this
longstanding association with Chevrolet. To commemorate this
event, we are rededicating the Corvette Bridge, a signature
landmark for our fans at the track and our worldwide TV
audience."
The
Corvette World Tribute also featured a charity auction organized
by Dan Binks, crew chief of the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, to
benefit Camp Anokijig ("We Serve") in nearby Plymouth,
Wis. The auction of Corvette Racing memorabilia raised more than
$52,000 for the camp, which is open to boys and girls ages 7-16.
"My
family has supported Camp Anokijig for decades," Binks said.
"We truly appreciate the generosity of Corvette Racing's fans
and friends. Their contributions ensure that the camp will
continue its programs that encourage positive values, personal
growth, great adventures, and outrageous fun."
Corvette
Racing’s next event is the two-hour Baltimore Grand Prix on
Saturday, September 3, starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. Live video
coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the US and
americanlemans.com for international users. ABC will televise the
Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.
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Corvette
Racing Takes Fifth at Road America
Gavin
and Magnussen Run at the Front in GT,
Beretta and Milner Retire after Accident
 ELKHART LAKE,
Wis., Aug. 20, 2011 – The
fans wanted a four-hour race at Road America, and the American Le
Mans Series teams delivered four hours of nonstop action in the
Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase. The No. 4 Compuware Corvette
C6.R driven by Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen finished fifth in
the GT class after running in the lead pack throughout the race.
The No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Tommy Milner and Olivier
Beretta retired with suspension damage after an accident at the
three-hour mark. The No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia
driven by Jaime Melo and Toni Vilander won the hard-fought GT
category, and the No. 4 Corvette won the Michelin Green X
Challenge competition.
 After qualifying
second and sixth, the yellow Corvettes were third and fourth when
the first lap was completed. An early full-course caution opened
the opportunity to split the race strategies, and Milner pitted
the No.3 for fuel only at 20 minutes. After a spirited fight with
the No. 56 BMW and the No. 62 Ferrari, Gavin took the lead at 54
minutes into the race. He held the point through the No. 4
Corvette's first pit stop, then had contact with the Ferrari as
the two cars exited the pit lane simultaneously. After dropping to
fifth, Gavin worked his way back to the front, passing the BMW
again for the lead at 1:52. The Briton then handed off to
Magnussen when the No. 4 pitted at 2:16.
"It was an
action-packed stint," Gavin said. "I was tapped at the
start, got sideways, and several cars screamed by on the inside.
Then there was a big scrap as we went into Turn 5, with cars
everywhere. Finally things settled down a little.
"On the
first pass for the lead, the BMW was pushed wide by the Ferrari
and they got bottled up in Carousel," he recalled. "I
got around the BMW, and then passed the Ferrari as we came into
Turn 14. After the pit stop, the Ferrari's door was open as we
went down the pit lane, Vilander was trying to get himself
secured, and he spun me around. On the next restart, I passed the
Ferrari and was having a good battle with the leading BMW. When we
came up behind a slower GTC car, he went left, I went right, and I
managed to outdrag him on the front straight. It was great fun and
great racing!"
Milner agreed.
"The start was unbelievable," he said. "They've
been trying to pack everybody up at the green flag, and they got
that here at Road America. There was definitely some good action
where I was sitting. After everything settled down, the No 3
Corvette was quick. The guys made the right call to switch
strategy and pit us out of sequence."
That gamble
nearly paid off as Beretta was running third in the No. 3 Corvette
C6.R after taking over from Milner at 1:28 into the race. Milner
was back in at 2:36, and stopped for fuel and two tires at 3:02.
On the out-lap, he spun off in Turn 13 and damaged the right-side
suspension.
"If I hadn't
wrecked, that would have been the right call," Milner said.
"It's frustrating because we had such a really good car
today. We ran quick laps when I was by myself, but in traffic it's
hard to run to the capabilities of the car. We put on two tires to
go to the end, and the car was tough to drive with two sticker
tires. I turned in for Turn 13, the rear was loose and I had to
catch it. I was off the line, and there's a big bump at the exit.
I tried to avoid it, but got the car sideways and into the
wall."
"We got off
sequence early and hoped that it would pay off," explained
crew chief Dan Binks. "After that last pit stop, I think we
had 'em smoked. The engineers made a great call, but with cold
tires, Tommy just spun off. The rear suspension was too badly
damaged to fix safely in 30 minutes, so we called it."
Magnussen was
consistently in the top five in the No. 4 Corvette in the second
half, and was attacking the No. 45 Porsche for third with 30
minutes remaining. In the closing minutes, however, he was passed
by the No. 56 BMW, and then had to defend his position against the
No. 17 Porsche.
"My first
stint in the car was quite good," Magnussen said. "Then
as the temperature cooled down, the balance of the car changed and
I backed off to bring the car home. Fifth place is absolutely not
satisfying in any way; it's not where I thought we were going to
finish."
The No. 4
Corvette C6.R won the Michelin Green X Challenge competition as
the fastest, cleanest, and most efficient entry in the GT class
for the third consecutive race.
"Corvette
Racing won the inaugural Michelin Green X Challenge in 2009, and
to win for the ninth time in the milestone 25th competition shows
Chevrolet's enduring commitment to efficiency, performance, and
alternative fuels," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug
Fehan. "The team did a masterful job of executing a two-car
strategy, but unfortunately circumstances prevented us from
reaching our goal."
ABC will televise
the Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase on Sunday, August 21, at
4:30 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT). Corvette Racing’s next event is the
two-hour Baltimore Grand Prix on Saturday, September 3, starting
at 4:30 p.m. ET. Live video coverage will be available on
ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for international
users. ABC will televise the Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday,
September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.
Time
Warner Cable Road Race Showcase GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Laps
1.
Melo/Vilander, Ferrari F458 Italia, 101
2.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 101
3.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 101
4.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 101
5.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 101
6.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 101
7.
48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 101
8.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 101
9.
44 Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 100
10.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 100
14.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 92
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Corvettes
Qualify Second and Sixth in Road America
Magnussen
Qualifies No. 4 Corvette C6.R Under GT Track Record,
Misses Pole by .005 Second
 ELKHART LAKE,
Wis., Aug. 19, 2011 – Jan
Magnussen was more than a second quicker than Oliver Gavin's
pole-winning lap at Road America in 2010, and six tenths of a
second under the GT qualifying record set in 2008. Despite the
Dane's strong performance today, he missed putting the No. 4
Compuware Corvette C6.R on the GT pole for the second consecutive
year by .005-second. That was the razor-thin margin that favored
Dirk Mueller's No. 56 BMW M3 GT in qualifying for Saturday's Time
Warner Cable Road Race Showcase, the sixth round of the American
Le Mans Series.
 Magnussen held
back as the 15-minute qualifying session began, seeking a gap in
traffic. With a clear track ahead, he rocketed around the 4-mile
circuit in 2:05.452 (116.162 mph) on his fourth lap, eclipsing his
teammate's pole-winning 2:06.509 time from last year. Olivier
Beretta was close behind with a lap at 2:06.585 (115.123 mph) that
put the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R sixth on the GT grid.
Mueller took the pole with a 2:05.447 (116.167 mph) lap.
"Five
thousandths!" Magnussen exclaimed after qualifying.
"When the session started, I made a quick decision to fall
back to give myself a big gap. I was clear of traffic, set my fast
time, and then did a cool-down lap to get ready for my final
qualifying run. That lap was looking really good until we caught
traffic. Even with a similar lap, five thousandths could have gone
either way.
"Corvette
Racing has done such a fantastic job with the cars,"
Magnussen said. "We're developing all the time, Michelin is
making gains with the tires, and the guys back in the shop are
prepping the cars perfectly. There are so many tiny improvements,
so much attention to the details, and when they are all added up,
you get a big improvement like this in one year."
Beretta
also posted his best time on his fourth lap, jumping from 11th to
sixth in the order.
"Everything
was OK, the tires were working well, but I had some power
understeer," Beretta said. "I felt that I was losing
time in the Carousel, the Kink, and Turn 7. Four hours is a long
race, so I think we can make it to the front with some more work
on the front of the car."
The four-hour
Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase is scheduled to start at 3
p.m. CT on Saturday, August 20. Live video coverage will be
available on ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for
international users. ABC will televise the Time Warner Cable Road
Race Showcase on Sunday, August 21, at 4:30 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT).
Time
Warner Cable Road Race Showcase Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 2:05.447
2.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 2:05.447
3.
62 Melo/Vilander, Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:05.687
4.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 2:06.245
5.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:06.379
6.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 2:06.585
7.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:06.730
8.
99 Junqueira/Wilden, Jaguas XKR, 2:06.812
9.
44 Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:06.838
10.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:06.921
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Sixth
Round of American Le Man Series to Showcase Corvette's Racing
Heritage
ELKHART LAKE,
Wis., Aug. 16, 2011 – Two
events occurred in 1955 that forever changed sports car racing in
America: Chevrolet introduced the small-block V-8 in Corvette, and
Road America held its first race. Since then, America's iconic
sports car and "America's National Park of Speed" have
been inextricably linked. This weekend's Time Warner Cable Road
Race Showcase, the sixth round of the 2011 American Le Mans
Series, and its companion event, the Corvette World Tribute, will
highlight the longstanding love affair between Corvette
enthusiasts and the scenic 4-mile, 14-turn track.
Chevrolet's roots
run deep at Road America. It was the venue chosen by GM Vice
President of Design Bill Mitchell to campaign the original Sting
Ray race car and to unveil the stunning Mako Shark concept car in
the early '60s. Road America witnessed victories by
Wisconsin-based racers Augie Pabst and Jim Jeffords, and saw Zora
Arkus-Duntov's mighty Grand Sport Corvettes thunder through its
rolling hills. The roster of celebrated Chevy racers at Road
America includes Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Hap Sharp, Tony DeLorenzo,
Jerry Thompson, John Greenwood, John Heinricy, and many more. In
recent times, Corvette Racing has scored six ALMS victories at
Road America in the GT1 class with Corvette standouts Andy
Pilgrim, Ron Fellows, and Johnny O'Connell at the wheel. The
Corvette World Tribute will showcase many of the men and machines
that made motorsports history at Road America.
Corvette Racing
returns to Road America in the midst of a ferocious battle for the
GT class championships. After a victory in Mosport and a runner-up
finish in the rain-shortened Mid-Ohio round, Corvette drivers
Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen are second in the GT driver
standings, 17 points behind the leaders. Teammates Olivier Beretta
and Tommy Milner are fifth, and Chevrolet is second in the
manufacturer standings, 19 points behind BMW. With 25 points on
the line for a victory in Saturday's four-hour race, the
championship races are wide open.
There's no better
setting for a crucial round in the championship chase. "Road
America is the circuit in the U.S. that's most like Le Mans,"
Gavin said. "It's fast and challenging, with sweeping corners
followed by heavy braking. Every driver loves the elevation
changes and the nature of the track. You've got to have finesse to
be quick, but also guts to get through the Carousel and the Kink
– corners we take right on the limit. We've tested previously at
Road America in preparation for Le Mans, and I'm confident that
the team will have two strong Corvettes for the ALMS race."
Milner agreed:
"You hold your breath when you get a quick lap at Road
America," said the American ace. "You approach Turn 1,
Turn 5, and Canada Corner at huge speeds and then brake heavily.
That makes for good racing because braking zones allow
passing."
Jan Magnussen
scored Corvette Racing's last GT1 win at Road America in 2008 with
co-driver Johnny O'Connell, and he is keen to return to the
winner's circle there. "Road America is a huge challenge
because it is so fast and there is a lot of time to be gained in
the Kink and the Carousel," said the Dane. "If you're
willing to take a risk, you can gain a lot – or lose a lot. That
makes it really exciting."
While the team's
focus during Saturday's ALMS race will be on results, the Corvette
World Tribute, organized by the Registry of Corvette Race Cars,
will provide time to reflect on Corvette's rich racing heritage.
Chevrolet will celebrate its homecoming to Road America on Sunday
morning with a ceremony at the Corvette Bridge, the track's
signature landmark that first appeared in 1963 – the year when
the split-window Sting Ray Corvette made its debut. The Corvette
World Tribute will feature a display of historic corvette race
cars, panel discussions, a racers reunion, a concours, autocross
competition, touring sessions, and races for vintage and
contemporary Corvettes. Information on the Corvette World Tribute
is available at http://registryofcorvetteracecars.com/ee/index.php/site/ra-cwt.
"It' going
to be wonderful to see Corvettes that were racing before I was
born," said Beretta, who started his milestone 100th ALMS
race at Mid-Ohio. "I want to see how people built cars with
the materials and technology they had at the time. It's very cool
that those cars are still running today and can be seen on the
track. Sunday will be a great time to enjoy the cars.
"We are
celebrating Chevrolet's 100th anniversary in 2011, and the
Corvette World Tribute is testimony to Chevy's history,"
Beretta noted. "No other manufacturer has been so successful,
and has won so many races and championships, in so many different
series around the world."
The four-hour
Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase is scheduled to start at 3
p.m. CT on Saturday, August 20. Live video coverage will be
available on ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for
international users. ABC will televise the Time Warner Cable Road
Race Showcase on Sunday, August 21, at 4:30 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT).
Back to top of
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Corvette
Racing Finishes
Second and Sixth in Mid-Ohio Monsoon
Gavin
and Magnussen Come Through the Chaos for Podium Finish and
Championship Points
 LEXINGTON,
Ohio, Aug. 6, 2011 – The
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge ended under a red flag when a
downpour inundated the circuit with 11 minutes remaining in the
two-hour, 45-minute race. Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin scored
Corvette's third straight runner-up finish at Mid-Ohio after
leading the GT category for the first two hours in the No. 4
Compuware Corvette C6.R. Tommy Milner and Olivier Beretta finished
sixth after a spin in the treacherous conditions temporarily
stranded the No. 3 Compuware Corvette before the race was stopped.
Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers claimed the victory in the No. 17
Porsche 911 GT3 after advancing from sixth to first on the
rain-soaked track in the final minutes.
 "In the last
two races, we've had a good race car and not such a good
qualifying car – but I'll take a good race car any time,"
said team manager Gary Pratt. "In conditions like this, we're
happy with second."
Magnussen made a
fast start, moving from fifth on the grid to second in the first
lap. He passed the class-leading BMW on the next lap and then held
the lead through the remainder of his stint.
"I was on
the outside for the first turn and had a good line,"
Magnussen said. "Everyone in front of me pulled in to protect
their line, so I went to the outside and came out in second. I
could see the BMW's tires weren't completely up to temperature and
our Michelins were. In one of the practice sessions, I came out
with a BMW and outbraked him at the end of the straight, so I knew
he was going to be vulnerable there. Sure enough, he braked early
and I made the pass."
Gavin took over
the No. 4 Corvette shortly before the one-hour mark and held the
point until he pitted for rain tires at 2:03. He was within
striking distance of the leading No. 45 Porsche of Patrick Long
when the deluge began.
"Those last
four or five laps were absolutely insane," Gavin said.
"I was driving down the straight with the steering wheel at
full opposite lock, with the car just gliding and aquaplaning.
Somehow my car straightened up and Pat Long's car went off into a
gravel trap. When Wolf Henzler drove by me, I had no answer for
him; he certainly had a good rain setup. I was relieved when they
brought out the red flag because it was really tough.
"Before the
rain came, it was great to be in the lead," the Englishman
added. "The guys got me out in front after an excellent pit
stop. I was slowly pulling away from Patrick, then a caution came
out and we were driving around picking up loads of rubbish on the
tires. Patrick was pressuring me, but eventually I got the tires
clean and started to pull out a lead. Then the weather arrived,
and everything changed."
Gavin and
Magnussen's runner-up finish on the heels of a win in Mosport,
combined with a fourth-place finish today for points leaders Joey
Hand and Dirk Mueller, narrowed the GT championship race. Gavin
and Magnussen are now 17 points behind the BMW duo in unofficial
points, and Chevrolet cut BMW's lead in the manufacturer standings
to 19 points.
Beretta,
celebrating his milestone 100th ALMS race, started the No. 3
Corvette C6.R eighth on the GT grid, and pitted from P7 at 56
minutes into the race. Milner steadily worked his way to the
front, running third with one hour remaining and second with 30
minutes to go. As the rain intensified, Milner had contact with
another GT car and spun in Turn 8, rejoining the race in sixth.
"We had a
phenomenal race car in the dry," said Milner. "In the
wet, it's the same for everybody – really crazy. Unfortunately
Mid-Ohio is one of those tracks that has zero grip in the rain.
When you have monsoon conditions like this, it's a roll of the
dice and we got snake eyes.
"When it
started sprinkling, I thought about Le Mans, but once it started
to pour, I said this is hurricane season," Milner reported.
"Sixth is not where I wanted to finish after being on pace
for second place, but it was really good to see that the team's
hard work in practice and in the warm-up improved the car in the
dry."
Corvette Racing
won the Michelin Green X Challenge as the fastest, cleanest, and
most efficient entry in the GT class for the second consecutive
race.
"I think it
was clear today we had the dominant cars," said Corvette
Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "We were well positioned
for a victory, and certainly we're satisfied with second when
weather is such a factor. Most importantly, we've captured the
Michelin Green X Challenge again, demonstrating durability,
reliability, performance, and green thinking at Chevrolet and
Corvette."
ESPN2 will
televise the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge on Sunday, August 7, at
10 p.m. ET. Corvette Racing’s next event is the four-hour Time
Warner Cable Road Race Showcase at Road America in Elkhart Lake,
Wis., on Saturday, August 20, starting at 3:00 p.m. CT. Live video
coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the US and
americanlemans.com for international users. ABC will televise the
Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase on Sunday, August 21, at 4:30
p.m. ET.
Mid-Ohio
Sports Car Challenge GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Laps
1.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 92
2.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 92
3.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 92
4.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 92
5.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 92
6.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 92
7.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 91
8.
48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 91
9.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 91
10.
44 Neiman/Law, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 91
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Corvettes
Qualify Fifth and Eighth for
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge
Corvettes
Cope with Heat and Humidity in the Heartland
 LEXINGTON,
Ohio, Aug. 5, 2011 – On a
steamy summer afternoon, Corvette Racing drivers Oliver Gavin and
Tommy Milner qualified their Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars
fifth and eighth respectively for Saturday's Mid-Ohio Sports Car
Challenge, the fifth round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series.
Gavin will start the No. 4 Corvette C6.R fifth on the GT grid
after lapping the 2.25-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 1:20.944
(100.425 mph). Milner was eighth quickest in the No. 3 Corvette
with a 1:21.280 time (100.010 mph). Joey Hand won the GT pole in
the No 56 BMW M3 GT with the fastest lap in the 15-minute session
at 1:20.539 (100.930 mph).
The temperature
was edging toward 90 degrees and the track was a toasty 130
degrees when GT qualifying began on the classic 13-turn circuit.
Gavin was on top in GT after his fourth flying lap and set his
quickest time on his sixth circuit, but the competition eclipsed
his fast time in the closing minutes. Milner also posted his best
time on his sixth lap.
"We won from
sixth on the grid at Mosport, and I don't see why we can't do the
same here," Gavin said. "Our race pace looks
competitive, and I'm quietly confident about that.
"We went
into the qualifying session thinking that the car would do one
thing and then it started doing another," Gavin explained.
"I felt we were close to our competition up to that point,
but as sometimes happens in qualifying, all of the sandbags came
out and our rivals ran faster laps. Our pace on long runs with
older tires looks quite good, so we'll continue to work on the car
and see if we can get a bit more speed. And who know? It could
rain!"
Milner steadily
improved his lap times throughout his qualifying run. "I
turned down the traction control to try to squeak out a tenth or
two, and I put it all on the line," he said. "No
question that we have a good race car, and at the end of the day
that's what matters most. We already know that we have a good
setup, so we can try some more adjustments in tomorrow morning's
warmup.
"Looking at
our race pace, we're much closer than it looks in qualifying,
which is encouraging," Milner noted. "Some of these guys
can run one quick lap, but they can't do that consistently. We
can't throw a super-fast lap on the scoreboard, but we're much
closer to our qualifying pace on long runs. I'm optimistic for the
race because I feel we have a better race car than a qualifying
car."
The two-hour,
45-minute Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge is scheduled to start at
3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 6. Live video coverage will
available on ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for
international users. ESPN2 will televise the race on Sunday,
August 7, at 10 p.m. ET.
Mid-Ohio
Sports Car Challenge GT Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 1:20.539
2.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 1:20.655
3.
62 Melo/Vilander, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:20.745
4.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:20.917
5.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 1:20.944
6.
02 Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:21.068
7.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:21.256
8.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 1:21.280
9.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:21.921
10.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 1:22.128
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Corvette
Racing Celebrates Homecoming as Le Mans and Mosport Winner
LEXINGTON,
Ohio, Aug. 2, 2011 –
Situated between the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green,
Ky., and Corvette Racing's headquarters in suburban Detroit, the
historic 2.25-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is the spiritual
home of the Compuware Corvettes. The Corvette Racing team is
hoping for a homecoming celebration in the fifth round of the
American Le Mans Series, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge, on
Saturday, August 6.
Corvette
Racing returns to Mid-Ohio with momentum after a victory by Jan
Magnussen and Oliver Gavin in the No. 4 Corvette C6.R at the
preceding round at Mosport International Raceway on July 24. In
June, teammates Tommy Milner, Olivier Beretta, and Antonio Garcia
triumphed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Gavin and Magnussen's win in
Mosport narrowed the ALMS GT championship race; the Corvette duo
is second in the drivers' standings, 23 points behind BMW's Dirk
Mueller and Joey Hand, and Chevrolet is second in the manufacturer
standings by 22 markers. With a maximum of 120 points on the table
in the next five races and series-mandated balance of performance
adjustments taking effect at Mid-Ohio, the GT championship is wide
open at the midpoint of the ALMS season.
After
scoring seven wins in the GT1 category at Mid-Ohio, Corvette
Racing debuted its GT class Corvettes at the Ohio circuit in
August 2009 with a runner-up finish by Magnussen and Johnny
O'Connell. Last year at Mid-Ohio, Gavin and Beretta finished
second in the fiercely contested class. Now the team is focused on
moving up one spot on the podium with a victory.
"Mid-Ohio
is quite a good track for us, and we've been very strong there
from the first race with the GT car," Magnussen said.
"This year we've been a little behind because of the
regulations, but this may change at Mid-Ohio. It could be our time
to shine."
"Last
year we were really, really close to a win at Mid-Ohio,"
Gavin recalled. "Our car came alive in the race and we had a
great battle in GT. I managed to get past the BMW and Porsche, and
then I had an excellent fight with Jamie Melo's Ferrari in the
final minutes. I think we had a car that was fast enough to win,
but didn't quite get the breaks to get a victory. I just hope we
can continue on an upward trend.
"The
Mid-Ohio circuit is rather narrow and it can be quite tricky to
pass, but we proved last year that we could do it," Gavin
explained. "Getting the car through the Keyhole is
challenging because you're braking uphill and then the track falls
away as the car goes over the crest. Coming into the corner at the
end of the back straight is another challenge because the braking
zone can be quite slippery. It's a track where you need to be
precise with your lines, precise with your braking, and have a car
that rotates well."
Tommy
Milner will drive a Corvette for the first time at Mid-Ohio after
finishing third there in 2009 and 2010. "I've had success at
Mid-Ohio in the past, and combined with Corvette's previous
success, I hope to get a good result this year," Milner said.
"Mid-Ohio is a showcase for the GT class; there are areas
where it's tough to pass, but there are enough opportunities for
the prototypes to get by. The elevation changes and the variety of
corners make it a great place to race."
The
Mid-Ohio round is well attended by Corvette Racing’s friends and
extended family, and the team is supported by hundreds of Corvette
owners and enthusiasts in the Corvette Corral.
"It's
not far from the team headquarters, and a lot of the people who
design and build the cars come from the race shop," said
Beretta, who is slated to make his milestone 100th ALMS start this
weekend. "I hope we will have a good result with both cars.
The track is quite interesting because the grip is not constant.
The best strategy is to get out front and stay there!"
The
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
ET on Saturday, August 6. Live video coverage will available on
ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for international
users. ESPN2 will televise the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge on
Sunday, August 7, at 10 p.m. ET.
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Corvette
Racing Wins Grand Prix of Mosport
Corvette
Notches Ninth Win at Canadian Circuit,
Scores First ALMS GT Victory of Season
BOWMANVILLE,
Ontario, Canada, July 24, 2011
– Corvette Racing returned to the winner's circle today at the
Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport as Oliver Gavin and Jan
Magnussen scored the team's first American Le Mans Series victory
of the season. Gavin and Magnussen won the GT class by 4.4 seconds
in their No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R over the Ferrari 458 Italia
of Jaime Melo and Toni Vilander. Tommy Milner and Olivier Beretta
finished sixth in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R after contact
with a backmarker cost them valuable time on the high-speed
Canadian circuit.
After qualifying
sixth and eighth on Saturday, Corvette Racing rebounded with a
strong race day setup that ultimately broke BMW's three-race
winning streak. The two-hour, 45-minute race was anything but
predictable as spins, crashes, close calls and penalties added to
the drama.
"We had a
team meeting after qualifying and agreed that we all just needed
to do our jobs because anything can happen," said team
manager Gary Pratt. "The crew made great pit stops, the
drivers made smart decisions, the engineers made good calls, and
here we are with a victory. You have to be able to take advantage
of opportunities, you have to be able to close the deal, and today
we did."
Gavin and Milner
were the starting drivers, and slotted into sixth and eighth
respectively as the race began. The running order changed
dramatically after the first round of pit stops under a
full-course caution, as Gavin emerged in third after two cars were
penalized. When the second-place Porsche went off track shortly
after the one-hour mark, Gavin moved into second and began an
extended battle with Vilander in the Risi Competizione Ferrari.
"We started
coming on these big clumps of traffic, and things started getting
crazy," Gavin said. "I had this mad battle with Toni,
where he passed me going into Turn 2 and then he went around the
outside of a GTC car. I managed to undercut them both and come
back around the outside into Turn 3 – it was fantastic
racing!"
Contact with the
Ferrari in Moss Corner punctured a tire, and the crew scrambled as
Gavin dove into the pits with one hour and four minutes to go.
Magnussen took over the No. 4 Corvette and emerged in third. The
Dane passed the Ferrari with 30 minutes to go, and then took the
lead with 20 minutes remaining when the leading No. 55 BMW driven
by Dirk Werner was assessed a stop-and-go penalty for avoidable
contact.
"I knew that
for us to get a good result out of this race, we had to be 100
percent focused every second," Magnussen said. "We could
never relax, just push all the time. To pull a win from where we
were after qualifying is just fantastic. These guys have done it
before and they'll do it again – you can never count Corvette
Racing out. The way this team pushes, I'm so proud to be part of
it."
Gavin agreed:
"The team won this race," said the Englishman. "We
got our first win on the board and we've broken BMW's stranglehold
on ALMS victories this year. I'm absolutely delighted!"
The No. 4
Corvette's second pit stop proved pivotal. "We had 10 seconds
for everyone to get ready," said crew chief Brian Hoye.
"The guys know what to do and they were ready to go. We
knocked out a quick stop, kept the car in contention, and we ended
up with a victory. We used every session to make the car the best
it could be for the race, and it turned out be a spectacular
result."
The No. 3
Corvette was less fortunate today as contact with the No. 11
Porsche GTC and a resulting spin took them out of contention.
Milner had executed a series of passes to pull the No. 3 up to
fourth place before the accident.
"The No. 3
Corvette was really, really good, the best I've driven all year
long," said Milner. "My spot today was Turn 5, where a
lot of people were getting held up in traffic and I was able to
get underneath them entering 5B. It's a pretty safe spot to pass,
and you can rub fenders there without it being an issue. I got a
number of passes done there, but then we had that contact in Turn
10. Unfortunately we have a few drivers who need more seat time,
especially running with other class cars. I gave him a lot of room
going into 9, but he wanted to race me. The result was I got spun
out."
The contact
damaged the Corvette's left-rear suspension and an extended pit
stop dropped the No. 3 off the lead lap. Beretta drove the last 62
minutes to secure sixth for the Le Mans-winning Corvette.
"It's a good
win for the No. 4 Corvette and good for the whole team,"
Beretta said. "Tommy did a very good job, we were just
unlucky to be touched by a gentleman driver and that was the end
of our race. I was hoping for a yellow to close up the field, but
it didn't come, so I just brought the car home."
Corvette Racing
celebrated its ninth win at Mosport and captured the Michelin
Green X Challenge as the fastest, cleanest, and most efficient
entry in the GT class.
"As the
inaugural winner of the Michelin Green X Challenge, it's always an
honor when Corvette Racing collects one of these trophies,"
said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "It's a
testament to how hard our engine group, our chassis group, and our
aero group have worked to maximize the efficiency of the Corvette.
It's also a testament to Chevrolet's willingness to race with
cellulosic E85, and as the world's largest producer of flex-fuel
vehicles, it's only appropriate that the Chevrolet team won the
Green X Challenge today."
ESPN2 will
televise the Grand Prix of Mosport tonight at 10 p.m. ET. Corvette
Racing’s next event is the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge in
Lexington, Ohio, on Saturday, August 6, starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Live video coverage will available on ESPN3.com in the US and
americanlemans.com for international users. ESPN2 will televise
the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge on Sunday, August 7, at 10 p.m.
ET.
Mobil
1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Laps
1.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 121
2.
62 Melo/Vilander, Ferrari F458 Italia, 121
3.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 121
4.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 121
5.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 120
6.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 119
7.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 119
8.
44 Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 118
9.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 117
10.
48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 117
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page
Corvettes
Qualify Sixth and Eighth for
ALMS Grand Prix of Mosport
Corvette
Racing Contends with Heat and Traffic in
Qualifying at Fast Canadian Circuit
 BOWMANVILLE,
Ontario, Canada, July 23, 2011
– In 90-degree heat on a blistering 114-degree track, Corvette
Racing qualified sixth and eighth for Sunday's Mobil 1 presents
the Grand Prix of Mosport. The fourth round of the American Le
Mans Series will see the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R driven by
Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin start sixth in the hotly contested
GT class. The No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Olivier Beretta and
Tommy Milner will grid eighth.
 The heat was on
at Mosport, with summertime temperatures that far exceeded the
cool weather that traditionally prevailed on the event's previous
Labor Day date. With Magnussen at the wheel, the No. 4 Corvette
C6.R turned its quickest time on its fifth lap at 1:17.580
(114.107 mph), while Beretta clocked his best lap
(1:17.997/113.497 mph) on his fourth circuit. Dirk Mueller put the
No. 56 BMW M3 GT on the Mosport pole with the session's fastest
lap at 1:17.083 (114.842 mph).
"It was a
really good qualifying lap, no traffic and as mistake-free as you
can make one," said Magnussen. "That was absolutely as
fast as I could go today. We don't have the same balance in the
car as we did last year at Mosport, and the difference is it was
cooler. Maybe the cooler weather that's predicted for tomorrow
will help us, but usually it helps everybody.
"It's very,
very close, less than a tenth of a second between each car, but
it's not where we want to be and we have our work cut out,"
Magnussen said. "We'll have to race hard and smart tomorrow.
It shows there are some adjustments that need to be made to the
performance of the various cars, if only small adjustments."
Beretta was
pleased with the improvement in the No. 3 Corvette C6.R following
the final practice session. "The performance in qualifying
was better, no question, and the team did a good job,"
Beretta said. "The problem on my lap was traffic. I did my
qualifying time, and then I had traffic on the next three laps.
Sure, I could have been quicker, but it looks like some of the
other cars are definitely quicker than us – but it's a long
race!"
Balance of
performance adjustments announced after the Lime Rock race two
weeks ago will be implemented in the upcoming round at the
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
"It was a
difficult day at a very fast race track," said Corvette
Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "You look at the top six
cars and they're within a half a second – almost nothing. I
think that promises an extremely close competition tomorrow. As we
move on to Mid-Ohio, the performance balancing rules will take
effect and we'll see even closer competition."
The Mobil 1
presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is scheduled to start at 3:05
p.m. ET on Sunday, July 24. Live video coverage is available on
ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for international
users, plus live coverage on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. ESPN2
will televise the race on July 24 at 10 p.m. ET.
Mobil
1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport GT Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 1:17.083
2.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 1:17.142
3.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:17.312
4.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:17.511
5.
62 Melo/Vilander, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:17.543
6.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 1:17.580
7.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:17.964
8.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 1:17.997
9.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 1:18.847
10.
98 Jones/Moran, Jaguar RSR, 1:19.302
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High-Speed
Canadian Circuit Favors the Brave and Suits Corvette Racing's
Strengths
BOWMANVILLE,
Ontario, Canada, July 19, 2011
– America is the home of the brave, but that description also
applies to a twisting ribbon of asphalt in the Canadian
countryside. Mosport International Raceway, a legendary circuit
that will host Sunday's Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport,
separates the brave from the meek with its sweeping turns and
soaring speeds.
Mosport
demands commitment, courage, and unflinching self-confidence. Not
surprisingly, this daunting 2.5-mile road course ranks among the
favorites of the Corvette Racing squad.
"I
like fast, fast race tracks, and Mosport is definitely fast,"
said Tommy Milner, who will share the No. 3 Compuware Corvette
C6.R with teammate Olivier Beretta in the fourth round of the 2011
American Le Mans Series. "Even Turn 5, the slowest corner on
the circuit, has an approach that's quick. It's a flowing race
track, and once you get your rhythm, it's a blast."
Mosport
has been the stage for many of Corvette Racing's winning
performances. The team has tallied eight victories there,
including its first win in the GT2 category (since renamed GT) in
2009. That race featured a spectacular wheel-to-wheel duel between
Jan Magnussen and Ferrari rival Pierre Kaffer in the final 30
minutes. Magnussen prevailed by .331 seconds at the finish.
"The
whole circuit is a huge challenge, one that I relish," said
Magnussen's teammate, Oliver Gavin. "We always go into that
race with a strong car and the track seems to suit the Corvette's
strengths.
"Our
car's balance and braking is very good, and we seem to be quick in
the tight Turn 5 area and coming into Turn 8 at the end of the
back straight," Gavin explained. "One of the most
daunting parts is Turn 2, and it's also the most fun when you get
it right. The corner entry is blind, you turn in and the track
starts to fall away almost immediately. You need absolute trust in
the marshals to tell you if there's a problem ahead."
Corvette
Racing has unfinished business at Mosport. Last year's event was
red-flagged with 30 minutes remaining when the guardrail lining
the high-speed Andretti Straightaway was severely damaged in an
accident. The twin Corvettes had completed their final pit stops
and were in position to race for the win when officials cancelled
the remainder of the race.
"If
the race had restarted we would have been in a good
position," said Magnussen. "We had a strong car, things
were shaping up, and we would have had a shot at it. I'm looking
forward to going back there and setting the record straight."
Corvette
Racing ambassador Ron Fellows, who scored three GT1 wins at
Mosport in 2001-03 with teammate Johnny O'Connell, has a new role
at Mosport as co-owner of the historic circuit. Fellows and
partners Carlo Fidani and Alan Boughton purchased the track on
June 1.
"Mosport
has a storied history that goes back to 1961," said Fellows.
"From Formula 1 and Can-Am to Trans-Am, Group C and
motorcycles, Mosport has had it all over the decades. To have the
opportunity to be part of the ownership group at a circuit that's
been part of my life for over 40 years is very exciting. The ALMS
Grand Prix of Mosport is our marquee event, and we intend to build
on its success in the future."
Fellows'
new responsibilities are appreciated by his former teammates.
"Ron promised that if we have too much understeer, he'll
straighten that bit out," Magnussen said with a laugh.
The
Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is scheduled to start
at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 24. Live video coverage is
available on ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for
international users, supplemented by live coverage on Rogers
Sportsnet in Canada. ESPN2 will televise the race on Sunday at 10
p.m. ET.
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Corvette
Racing Encounters Traffic and Trouble in Lime Rock
Corvettes
Damaged in Chain Reaction Accident, Team Battles Back to Finish
Ninth and 10th
 LAKEVILLE,
Conn., July 9, 2011 –
Corvette Racing heeded the advice of company co-founder Louis
Chevrolet today at the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at
Lime Rock Park. "Never give up!" was Chevrolet's motto,
and the team was true to that credo after a chain reaction
accident damaged both Compuware Corvette C6.Rs at just 20 minutes
into the two-hour, 45-minute race. After the Corvette crew
repaired their battered race cars, Olivier Beretta and Tommy
Milner battled back to bring the No. 3 Corvette C6.R home in ninth
place while Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin finished 10th in the
No. 4 Corvette C6.R. Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller won in the No. 55
BMW M3 GT by a 20-second margin over the Long/Bergmeister Porsche.
 Magnussen
and Beretta were running fourth and fifth respectively in the GT
class when the melee occurred near the exit of the West Bend turn
leading to the fast downhill Diving Turn. An LMPC prototype had
contact with a Ferrari, and the pursuing pack of GT cars had
nowhere to go. The No. 4 Corvette collided with the third-place
BMW, and was in turn collected by the No. 3 Corvette. Both
Corvettes sustained damage to their left front corners and went to
the pits for repairs. The No. 18 LMPC was subsequently penalized
for avoidable contact, but the Corvettes had already paid a high
price.
Led by crew chief
Dan Binks, the No. 3 crew replaced a damaged upright and installed
a new nose in the pit lane. Brian Hoye and the No. 4 Corvette crew
took their car behind the wall and installed a new nose assembly.
Beretta rejoined the fray 17 laps behind the leader, and Magnussen
was back in the race with a 22-lap deficit.
"That's part
of racing at Lime Rock when you have cars running that
close," said team manager Gary Pratt. "Somebody spins,
somebody checks up, and four or five cars get into each other. We
had a lot of pieces and parts to change."
"I'm not
sure who hit who, but somebody got together," Magnussen said.
"The BMW ran into them, I ran into the BMW, and Olivier ran
into me. When I won here in May, Lime Rock was pretty good; today
it was back to just being Lime Rock."
"It was like
a bicycle race in a living room," Beretta said. "I could
not see through all the smoke; suddenly I saw Jan's brake lights
and it was too late to stop. The crew did a fantastic job to get
me back in the race. I'm not worried about the car after a crash
because I know these guys will make the car as good as new. I
don't even think about it, I just get on with it because I trust
them 100 percent."
The Corvettes
racked up the laps, pitting for fuel, tires, and driver changes
with 63 minutes to go. Milner replaced Beretta in the No. 3
Corvette C6.R and Gavin replaced Magnussen in the No. 4 Corvette
C6.R. The two steadily gained positions throughout the final hour
as others in the GT class also encountered misfortune and
mechanical problems. At the end of the race, the Corvettes had
clawed their way up to points-paying positions.
"It was an
uneventful stint for me, just trying to stay out of traffic and
stay out of trouble," Gavin said. "Our race was really
turned on its head when Jan was caught up in that accident. We
tested a few things later in the race, but the car was pretty
badly beaten up so it wasn't a straightforward test session. We
did finish 10th and got a point, so that's better than nothing.
We’ll move on to Mosport and see what we can get there."
ESPN2 will
televise the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at 1 p.m. ET on
Sunday, July 10. Corvette Racing’s next event is the Mobil 1
presents the Grand Prix of Mosport in Bowmanville, Ont., on
Sunday, July 24, starting at 3 p.m. ET. Live video coverage will
available on ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for
international users. ESPN2 will televise the Grand Prix of Mosport
at 10 p.m. ET on July 24.
American
Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Laps
1.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT,176
2.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 176
3.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 174
4.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 174
5.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 174
6.
48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 172
7.
44 Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 165
8.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 163
9.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 161
10.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 156
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Corvettes
Qualify Fourth and Fifth in Lime Rock ALMS
Changing
Conditions Add to Challenge at Historic Connecticut Circuit
 LAKEVILLE,
Conn., July 8, 2011 –
Intermittent rain and rapidly changing track conditions added to
the complexity of qualifying at Lime Rock Park for Saturday's
American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, the third round of the
American Le Mans Series. Oliver Gavin qualified the No. 4
Compuware Corvette C6.R fourth in the GT class with a time of
51.897 seconds (102.298 mph) on the roller coaster 1.47-mile
circuit. Tommy Milner was a heartbeat behind in fifth at 51.954
seconds (102.249 mph) in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Joey
Hand put the No. 56 BMW M3 GT on the pole with a fast lap at
50.925 (104.200 mph).
 Rain
before the start of the second one-hour practice session saw the
field on grooved tires. As a dry line developed, the Corvettes
switched to slick tires and finished the session on top in the GT
class. When the GT qualifying session began 25 minutes later, the
Corvette crew continued to make adjustments.
"We made
quite a lot of changes before the start of qualifying to extend
our test session and to learn as much as we could during the
limited track time," said Gavin, who turned his quickest time
on his fifth lap. "We made good progress, and I think we
understand the GT car much better this year at Lime Rock.
"It was a
shame that we couldn’t find a couple of more tenths to get in
front of the Porsche that's third on the grid," Gavin
continued. "I did make a small mistake in the final corner,
touched the curb on the inside, and that might have made the
difference."
Milner turned his
fastest lap on his 12th circuit. "With very little dry
practice time, qualifying ended up being a practice session at the
start," Milner noted. "It was good for me to get a feel
for the car on slick tires at the end of practice, but it was
really hard to push in those damp and drying conditions.
"My Corvette
was good in qualifying, but I was buried in traffic and lost the
laps when the tires were at their very best," he explained.
"It wasn't a perfect qualifying session because I didn't get
the most out of the car. Two tenths of a second doesn't sound like
much, but on a short track like this, it's big. We're still in
good shape. Corvette Racing does a great job on pit stops, which
are very important here. Now our focus is on a clean race."
The American Le
Mans Northeast Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 2:05 p.m. ET on
Saturday, July 9. Live video coverage is available on ESPN3.com in
the US and americanlemans.com for international users. ESPN2 will
televise the race starting at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 10.
American
Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix GT Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Car
No./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 50.925
2.
55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 51.179
3.
45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 51.872
4.
4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 51.897
5.
3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 51.954
6.
44 Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 52.005
7.
04 Murry/Lazzaro, Doran Ford GT, 52.109
8.
02 Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 52.350
9.
17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 52.388
10.
01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 52.956
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Le
Mans Test Day Sets the Stage for Sports Car Racing's Main Event
LE
MANS, France, April 20, 2011
– This is only a test – but it's an important one. Corvette
Racing will participate in the Le Mans Test Day on Easter Sunday,
April 24. This one-day outing on the legendary French circuit will
play a key role in the team's preparations for the 24 Hours of Le
Mans on June 11-12, 2011.
"Every
lap at Le Mans is valuable," said Corvette Racing program
manager Doug Fehan. "It's impossible to test there outside of
the race environment because the course uses several miles of
public highway. When you have even one day to gather information
it's extremely beneficial, especially when your competition is
going to be there. Corvette Racing's objective is to maximize the
value of our time on the Le Mans track and then apply that when we
return for the race in June."
Once
a fixture in the run-up to the 24-hour race, the stand-alone test
day had been suspended for several years. Its return to the
calendar in 2011 posed a logistical problem for teams competing in
the American Le Mans Series, which hosted its second round in Long
Beach, Calif., last Saturday.
"The
schedule makes it difficult, expensive, and risky to get the cars
and equipment from Long Beach to Le Mans in time for the
test," said Corvette Racing team manager Gary Pratt.
"Everything would have to be crated up and flown from LAX on
Sunday morning after the ALMS race. Even a short delay in customs
or air transport could mean that the shipment wouldn't arrive in
time for the test.
"Fortunately
one of our customers, Larbre Competition, has a Corvette C6.R that
is available for the Le Mans test," Pratt explained.
"This is a chassis that we ran last year in Le Mans, and that
Larbre raced at Sebring last month. It's the same spec as our
current cars and the Larbre team will compete with it in the
GTE-Am class at Le Mans. Combining our resources for the test day
and sharing the information that we gather will be a win-win for
both organizations."
Corvette
Racing's four full-season drivers – Tommy Milner, Olivier
Beretta, Oliver Gavin, and Jan Magnussen – will attend the Le
Mans test, along with key Corvette Racing personnel. At the top of
the to-do list is the requirement to qualify Milner to race at Le
Mans after a three-year absence. He went to the 24-hour classic in
2006 and 2007 with the Panoz team.
"I'm
25 years old, I've been to Le Mans twice, and yet it's been so
long since I've raced there that I have to do 10 laps to qualify
again to drive," Milner said with a laugh. "I'm looking
at the test as a briefing on what it's like to drive at Le Mans in
a Corvette C6.R. It will be a great opportunity to get comfortable
in the car and to get seat time without the pressure of the race
week."
Olivier
Beretta, Milner's full-season teammate, agreed: "It is very
important to go to Le Mans when you have the rare opportunity to
drive on the same track that you will race on," he said.
"The only difference will be the weather, but Europe has been
very warm recently and I hope the good weather will stay for
another week. Then after the test we will have more time to think
about and get ready for race week."
Driver
Jan Magnussen will be reunited with an old friend at the Le Mans
test day. "We'll be using my car from last year, so I should
know it well," said the Dane. "The weather during April
may not be representative of the conditions during the race, but
the test is a opportunity for the drivers to get back into the
rhythm of Le Mans. It is a different track to drive because you
have to attack in certain places and not in other places, so it's
helpful to get a few laps and work on the setup. Corvette Racing
has always done a very good job of looking at all of the data and
being right on when the race is there."
Oliver
Gavin will be teamed with Magnussen at Le Mans this year, a
combination that scored three consecutive GT1 class wins in
2004-06. "It's fantastic to be going to Le Mans because any
time running on that track is precious," Gavin noted.
"You've got to make the most of it because it's such a unique
circuit and such a unique environment. It's great for Larbre
Competition to work together with Corvette Racing. You think
you've got loads of time with a full day to test, but it whizzes
by so quickly. Each driver is keen to get as many laps as
possible, and you've got to make the most of it. I'm sure the
engineers will have a very detailed plan for every second of the
test day."
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Corvette
Racing Qualifies Second and Ninth for Long Beach Street Race
Split
Strategy Boosts Magnussen to Front Row, Milner Makes Strong Run in
First Qualifying Run with Corvette
LONG BEACH, Calif., April 15, 2011 –
Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnussen finished second in last
year's American Le Mans Series race on the Long Beach street
circuit, and that is where he will start Saturday's two-hour race
on the bayside circuit. Magnussen posted the second quickest time
in the GT class at 1:19.137 (89.526 mph) in the No. 4 Compuware
Corvette C6.R, just .047 seconds behind the pole-winning BMW of
Joey Hand. Tommy Milner qualified the No. 3 Compuware Corvette
C6.R ninth in the 14-car GT field at 1:20.724 (87.766 mph).
Corvette Racing
rebounded from a troubled practice this morning that saw the No. 4
Corvette lose nearly half of the two-hour session to a drivetrain
problem and the No. 3 Corvette have a close encounter with the
tire barrier in Turn 8. With minimal track time, the Corvettes
went into qualifying on a split strategy.
The decision to
use different tire compounds as the track cooled in the late
afternoon was a key element in Magnussen's run to the front. The
Dane dueled for the pole with his BMW rival as the drivers traded
fastest times over a series of laps on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn
temporary course. Magnussen ultimately posted his quickest time on
his fourth flying lap, and his time bettered the 1:19.581
qualifying record set last year.
"I get so
much enjoyment from qualifying here at Long Beach, I absolutely
love it," Magnussen said. "It seemed we would go fast
and they would go just a little bit faster. After the problems we
encountered this morning, to have a car that's good enough to be
on the front row is fantastic.
"We split
the strategy with the tires," Magnussen explained.
"Maybe one car will benefit early in the race and the other
will be better later. With two strong cars we can try different
approaches and hopefully by the end of the race we'll know what
works best for the final stint. I'm really looking forward to
tomorrow. It's a short race, but at Long Beach it's always
absolutely full attack."
"It could
have easily worked out that I was on the better tires for the
conditions," Milner said. "Corvette Racing is a team,
and sometimes you have to split the strategies. I would have liked
a better result in my first time qualifying the Corvette, but it
was the right decision for the team and I'm all for it.
"There are a
lot of different scenarios for tomorrow, so we'll see how it plays
out," he noted. "Long Beach is tough, it's hard to pass
here, but I know our Corvette is better than a ninth place car.
The fun part for me is that I'll start the race and get to pass
some cars. I'm confident we can move up."
"Qualifying
took place during a transitional time on the track, as will the
race tomorrow," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug
Fehan. "The temperature goes from hot to cold in a hurry, so
we weren't sure how the cars would react. The engineers and
drivers looked at the data we got this morning, compared it with
the information from last year, and together they made a great
choice on chassis setup."
The two-hour
American Le Mans Series at Long Beach will be shown live on
ESPN3.com starting at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. local time on
Saturday, April 16. ESPN2 will provide television coverage from 5
to 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 17.
American
Le Mans Series at Long Beach GT Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 1:19.090
2.
Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 1:19.137
3.
Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 1:19.447
4.
Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:19.463
5.
Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:20.065
6.
Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:20.167
7.
Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:20.176
8.
Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:20.646
9.
Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 1:20.724
10.
Junqueira/Da Matta, Jaguar RSR, 1:20.924
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Corvette
Racing New Guy's Guide to the First Street Race of the Season
LONG
BEACH, Calif., April 11, 2011
– Sebring and Long Beach are the yin and yang of the American Le
Mans Series. Last month's season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of
Sebring is the longest event on the ALMS schedule; the upcoming
two-hour American Le Mans Series at Long Beach on April 16 is the
shortest. The distance between the former bomber base in central
Florida that hosts the Sebring enduro and the glittering bayside
circuit in Southern California is measured not only in miles but
also in culture and style. Long Beach is a street race, a beach
party, and a celebration of spring.
With
only a single two-hour practice session before qualifying and the
race, the Long Beach schedule is as compressed as a beachfront
condo. The ALMS drivers will be first out on the green track on
Friday morning, and will end the day with qualifying. They won't
see the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary course again until they take
the green flag at 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday.
So
does Corvette Racing new guy Tommy Milner feel any pressure going
into his second race with the series' most successful sports car
team? Hardly.
"I'm
excited about going to Long Beach and getting back in the
Corvette," said Milner, who will share the No. 3 Compuware
Corvette C6.R with co-driver Olivier Beretta, a two-time winner in
the GT1 class at Long Beach. "Sure it's a short weekend, but
Corvette Racing was strong there last year and I'm looking forward
to seeing how the C6.R works for me."
Milner
had an up-close view of the Corvette C6.R's performance last year
on the Long Beach circuit. His former team elected not to change
tires during his pit stop, a move that vaulted Milner from fifth
to first. But as his used tires lost their grip, Milner lost his
grasp on victory. First he was passed by eventual race winner
Patrick Long, and then by Corvette driver Jan Magnussen, who was
on fresh rubber. Magnussen was also on a mission as he moved up
from sixth to second in the closing laps, and Milner had to settle
for his second consecutive third-place finish in Long Beach.
"Long
Beach is all about track position," Milner explained.
"Obviously pace is important, but track position is crucial
because it's so difficult to pass there. By not changing tires, I
ended up in front for quite a few laps. Pat Long gave me a little
push and moved me out of the way, and by the time Jan got to me, I
was done. Jan still had a hard time getting by me in a car that
was a lot faster than mine. This time I think I'll have the faster
car and I won't have to be defending!"
Although
Milner professes his love for high-speed tracks, he appreciates
the charms of America's most celebrated street course. "There
is something about really hustling a car in the narrow confines of
a street track and pushing the envelope right up to the wall that
is a lot of fun," said the 25-year-old racer from Lake Mary,
Fla. "One of my favorite corners in Long Beach is the
Fountain Turn because you can almost trim the hedge around the
fountain with the right fender."
The
scarcity of track time in Long Beach doesn't daunt the determined
young driver. "At Sebring you have all the time in the world
to practice, and when you get to the race you still wish you had
one more practice session," he laughed. "It's the same
at Long Beach – I always wish I had another session, but I'll go
into the race feeling confident that I have a good car. That comes
down to working with your team and engineers to get exactly what
you want out of the car.
"Since
I joined Corvette Racing, we've always been able to get a car
that's comfortable to drive and quick early on, so I don't have
any concerns about the short schedule in Long Beach," Milner
noted. "The first hour is almost a throwaway because there's
not much grip and the way the car behaves changes dramatically
throughout the session. We have to be methodical about how we make
changes, and not get too carried away with how the car is handling
initially. The track will come to us."
While
many of his contemporaries will be partying in Long Beach, Milner
is going to be all business in his first street race with Corvette
Racing.
The
two-hour American Le Mans Series at Long Beach will be shown live
on ESPN3.com starting at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. local time on
Saturday, April 16. ESPN2 will provide television coverage from 5
to 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 17.
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Corvette
Racing Finishes Third and Fourth in Season-Opening Sebring Race
Corvettes
Overcome Incidents and Accidents in 12-Hour Endurance Test
SEBRING, Fla.,
March 19, 2011 – Corvette
Racing raced around the clock to finish third and fourth in the GT
class in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the season-opening
round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series. The No. 03 Compuware
Corvette C6.R driven by Tommy Milner, Olivier Beretta, and Antonio
Garcia completed 312 laps and finished third, 49.294 seconds
behind the class-winning BMW. The No. 04 Compuware Corvette C6.R
of Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, and Richard Westbrook was fourth
across the finish line with 311 laps.
The Sebring
12-hour was a test of determination for the Chevrolet team. The No
3 Corvette C6.R started ninth on the grid and finished on the
podium; the No. 4 Corvette C6.R overcame a three-lap deficit after
an accident at the two-hour mark.
"Today's
result was absolutely a team effort," said Jim Campbell,
Chevrolet U.S. Vice President for Performance Vehicles and
Motorsports. "In endurance racing you have to work as a team
every minute, and Corvette Racing did that. We have more work to
do, but this team never gives up."
The No. 04
Corvette C6.R made a fast start as Oliver Gavin started second on
the GT grid and passed the pole-winning Ferrari 430GT on the first
lap.
"The Ferrari
went wide and I got by him," Gavin said. "Once the
Ferrari's tires came in, he started to catch me – any amount of
dust on the track and our performance started to suffer. Then with
new Michelins after the first pit stop, we were back in the hunt
and could race anybody."
Gavin handed off
to Jan Magnussen at 1:48 under a full-course caution, but the Dane
encountered misfortune as soon as racing resumed. Running third at
the restart, contact in Turn 17 with Patrick Long's Porsche caused
both cars to spin. The following Ferrari F458 of Johannes van
Overbeek then spun, colliding with the Corvette and damaging its
right rear suspension. The Ferrari subsequently retired, while
Magnussen manhandled the Corvette to the pits for repairs. Six
minutes later, the Corvette crew had him back on track, albeit two
laps down to the GT leader.
"I got a
better run going onto the straight, and Long moved to the right to
block me," Magnussen said. "No big deal, I went around
him on the outside. I think he was bouncing over the bumps, and
bounced into the side of my car. I can't be upset with him, but I
was upset at the situation."
Long was
subsequently penalized for avoidable contact, and the Corvette was
penalized for crewmembers working on the car while the pits were
closed, losing yet another lap.
Meanwhile the No.
03 Corvette methodically moved up from its ninth starting spot.
Olivier Beretta handed off to Tommy Milner, who showed his stuff
in his first stint as a Corvette Racing driver. The 25-year-old
raced former Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella hard, and took
the yellow Corvette from seventh to third in GT.
"Most of my
teammates have driven Formula 1 cars, and it makes the race that
much more fun when you have the best drivers in the world,"
said Milner. "I was able to settle into a rhythm, find the
balance, and push from there. Maybe I was a little too racy for my
first stint, but I wanted to settle in and get the nerves
out."
Richard Westbrook
also showed his mettle in his first start with Corvette Racing in
the No. 04 Corvette C6.R. "Everyone at Corvette Racing wants
to do so well – it's Chevrolet's 100th anniversary, and we
really want to put in a great performance," Westbrook said.
"Unfortunately Jan had contact in the second stint, but we
kept pushing – there was nothing else we could do."
The race settled
down in the middle stages as the six Corvette drivers cycled
through their rotations. The No. 03 Corvette maintained its pace
with the frontrunners on the lead lap, while savvy pit stop
strategy and speed brought the No. 04 Corvette to within a lap of
the leaders.
Shortly after
seven hours, Milner pitted the 03 Corvette for a new windshield
after the tearoffs had blown off, leaving a layer of sticky
adhesive. After falling back to sixth, he charged back through the
GT field to third at the end of his stint.
"That was
probably the hardest I've had to work in a race car to see out of
the windshield," Milner reported. "The crew changed the
entire window in nothing flat, and that was great because the car
was really, really good. When the sun went down, it definitely
picked up grip."
As the sun set at
Sebring, the race pace quickened. Antonio Garcia turned in a
strong performance to pull the No. 03 Corvette as high as third on
the cooling track.
"The car was
getting better and better throughout the race," said the
Spaniard. "I was racing with a Porsche in the first half of
my stint and worked the tires hard getting by him, but at the end
I ran decent lap times with worn tires. We were in the fight,
running as close as we could to the front, and we had to be able
to fight for a good position at the finish."
After 10 hours of
racing, Beretta had the No. 03 Corvette in second, and Gavin was
back on the lead lap in the No. 04 Corvette when the class leader
pitted.
"The traffic
was very bad sometimes," said Beretta. "If you were in a
good spot you could go quick, if not you just tried to survive,
not make a mistake, and use your brain."
Gavin drove a
double stint in the late hours before handing the No. 04 Corvette
off to Magnussen for the final run to the checkered flag.
"Today was a
real uphill battle after the accident took us out of contention
for the victory," Gavin said. "After we changed tire
compounds I thought we'd have a shot at the podium, but it was
perhaps a bit too early. This was one of the wildest 12 hours I've
ever raced. I'm proud to be part of the Chevy team, and proud to
bring the car back to within a lap of the leader. Jan and Richard
drove brilliantly today, with a bit more luck we might have
won."
"We didn't
have the ultimate speed to match the BMWs and Ferraris today, but
we did have execution and we did have strategy," said
Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "When you combine
those in an endurance race, it's going to show, and that's what
this team did. This is a solid foundation for the season, and a
result we can be proud of."
Corvette
Racing’s next event is the American Le Mans at Long Beach in
Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday, April 16.
Mobil
1 Twelve Hours of Sebring GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Drivers/Car/Laps
1.
Priaulx/Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 312
2.
Farfus/Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 312
3.
Beretta/Garcia/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 312
4.
Gavin/Magnussen/Westbrook, Corvette C6.R, 311
5.
Fisichella/Bruni/Kaffer, Ferrari F458 Italia, 311
6.
Bergmeister/Long/Leib, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 310
7.
Law/Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 306
8.
Robertson/Robertson/Said, Doran Ford GT, 294
9.
Ortelli/Makowiecki/Deletraz, Farrari F458 Italia, 292
10.
Brown/Cosmo/Bell, Ferrari F458 Italia, 268
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Corvette
Racing Qualifies Second and Ninth for Sebring 12-Hour Race
Gavin
Posts Second-Quickest Time in Hotly Contested GT Class at ALMS
Season-Opener
SEBRING, Fla.,
March 18, 2011 – On a
glorious day in central Florida, Corvette Racing celebrated the
rites of spring by qualifying second and ninth for Saturday's
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway.
Oliver Gavin posted the second quickest time in the GT class at
2:01.743 (109.411 mph) in the No. 04 Compuware Corvette C6.R.
Olivier Beretta was ninth in the No. 03 Compuware Corvette C6.R at
2:02.633 (108.617 mph).
The top eight
cars in the production-based GT category qualified within a second
of the pole-winning time set by Gianmaria Bruni at 2:01.561
(109.575 mph) in a Ferrari 430 GT. With 85-degree air temperature
and 96-degree track temperature, the qualifying times were
slightly slower than last year's 2:01.150 record on the historic
3.7-mile circuit that hosts the opening round of the 2011 American
Le Mans Series.
"I'm pleased
with second in such a competitive class, and very happy for the
entire Corvette Racing team because everybody has worked so hard
this week," said Gavin, who missed the pole by a scant .182
seconds. "It would have been great to have taken the top spot
to start off Chevrolet's 100th anniversary, but we'll wait for the
race tomorrow to do that. I'm very proud to be part of the Chevy
team."
Gavin's third
timed lap was his quickest on the bumpy 17-turn course on the site
of a World War II bomber base.
"Everyone
was spaced out nicely at the start of the session, and the tires
were taking some time to come in," he said. "By the time
they were really hooking up, I caught a Ferrari on his cool-down
lap and I had to pass him off the line. I then had to go through
the sand that had been dragged onto Turn 10, got some understeer,
and lost what probably would have been my best lap."
Beretta posted
his best time on his sixth and final lap at speed.
"I started
well and the car was good," Beretta reported. "Then
after I caught some traffic, I slowed a little and never got back
up to maximum speed.
"It's a long
race tomorrow, and it will be hot for sure," Beretta noted.
"We will try to stay out of trouble and get to the finish in
the position that we want."
Gavin agreed with
his teammate's prediction: "These are the warmest conditions
we've seen this week, and we've got some solutions for that in the
race, whether with the Michelin tires or the chassis setup,"
said the Briton. "It's very edgy out there, there's a lot of
sand on the track and a mix of different rubber from all the
series that are running at Sebring. I think we'll see a different
situation tomorrow, and we'll be able to fight with the
best."
Corvette Racing
introduced two new Corvette C6.R race cars for this event, along
with new paddle shifters, a new engine management system, updated
aerodynamics, and other innovations.
"The week we
had here was probably the most challenging week we've ever had at
Sebring," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan.
"The team really answered the bell today, turning in the
second quickest time and putting both cars in the top 10 in an
intensely competitive class. When you see qualifying this close,
that promises a great race. I'm very proud of the engineers, the
crew, and the GM Powertrain engine group – they all pulled
together as a team today."
The
season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will start at 10:30
a.m. on Saturday, March 19, and end 12 hours later at 10:30 p.m.
The race will be shown live on ESPN3.com from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45
p.m. ET. ABC will provide coverage from 12:30 to 2 p.m. ET on
Sunday, March 20.
Mobil
1 Twelve Hours of Sebring GT Qualifying (Top 10):
Pos./Drivers/Car/Time
1.
Fisichella/Bruni/Kaffer, Ferrari F430 GT, 2:01.561
2.
Gavin/Magnussen/Westbrook, Corvette C6.R, 2:01.743
3.
Farfus/Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 2:01.841
4.
Priaulx/Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 2:02.139
5.
Melo/Vilander/Salo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:02.290
6.
Bergmeister/Long/Leib, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:02.334
7.
Brown/Cosmo/Bell, Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:02.405
8.
Ortelli/Makowiecki/Deletraz, Farrari F458 Italia, 2:02.524
9.
Beretta/Garcia/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 2:02.633
10.
Sharp/van Overbeek/Farnbacher, Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:02.877
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Season-Opening
12-Hour Sebring Endurance Race Is Toughest Test for New Cars, New
Technology, and New Drivers
SEBRING,
Fla., March 14, 2011 –
Corvette Racing will begin the 2011 American Le Mans Series at the
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 19, with two
new cars, two new drivers, and a wealth of new technology.
The
team has constructed a pair of new Compuware Corvette C6.Rs to
take on the world-class competition in the GT category. Based on
the GT2 Corvettes that the team introduced in 2009, the new race
cars have benefited from months of development and testing.
"2010
was an extremely productive year for Corvette Racing from the
standpoint of gathering information," said Corvette Racing
program manager Doug Fehan. "The team learned a tremendous
amount about the production-based LS5.5R engine package, the aero
package, and the chassis setups – all of which were brand new to
us. The winter was spent distilling that information, running it
through various matrixes, and coming up with what we think are
going to be very competitive race cars in 2011."
The
ALMS regulations now allow the use of paddle shift transmissions
in the GT category, and Corvette Racing has adopted this new
technology. Similar to the paddle shifters that are available in
production Corvettes, the race cars' fingertip shifters allow the
drivers to change gears with both hands firmly on the steering
wheel. The team has integrated this new system with the electronic
controls for the production-based 5.5-liter GM small-block V-8
engines that power the Corvette C6.Rs.
"It's
been pedal-to-the-metal all winter long," said team manager
Gary Pratt. "The base chassis is identical to the design
we've raced previously, but we've worked on all aspects of the
cars, from aerodynamic refinements to driver safety and comfort.
"The
paddle shift system is new technology for us, and our engineers
have worked very hard on the communication system that links the
new engine management system and the shift system. We've also
adopted a new power control system that automatically performs
many of the functions that used to be done manually, such as
turning on the reserve fuel pump and switching the batteries
during pit stops.
"We
also installed new driver displays and new steering wheels with
all of the controls on the wheel," Pratt explained. "The
steering wheel system is more user friendly, and drivers of
various sizes can reach the switches more easily."
Two
of the six drivers are new to Corvette Racing’s international
driver lineup in 2011. Tommy Milner, 25, of Lake Mary, Fla., will
share the No. 03 Corvette C6.R with Olivier Beretta of Monaco for
the full season; Spaniard Antonio Garcia is the third driver for
endurance events (Sebring, Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans). Richard
Westbrook, 35, of London, England, will be teamed with Jan
Magnussen (Denmark) and Oliver Gavin (UK) in the No. 04 Corvette
C6.R in the long-distance races.
"The
paddle shift is a big plus, particularly in the braking
zones," said Gavin. "You can get hard on the brakes,
then downshift really quickly. Going up through the gears, the
shifts are smooth and solid. In terms of consistency and
reliability, the system is a really good step forward."
This
year's Sebring enduro marks Corvette’s 55th year in
international road racing. John Fitch and Walt Hansgen drove a
Corvette to a ninth-place finish overall and a Class B victory at
the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1956, the first step onto the world
stage that established Chevy’s sports car as a contender in
top-level competition. Corvette Racing first participated in the
Sebring 12-hour race in 1999, and scored seven Sebring victories
in the high-tech GT1 class (2002-04, 2006-09).
Today
Corvette is competing in the production-based GT category against
its showroom competitors. The 19 entries in the GT class include
two Corvette C6.Rs, a Ferrari 430 GT, two BMW M3 GTs, four Ferrari
F458s, a quartet of Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs, one Panoz Abruzzi, two
Jaguar XKRs, two Doran Ford GTs, and a Lamborghini Gallardo. An
additional five cars are entered in the GTE AM class, which
requires at least one amateur driver in the lineup, including a
Corvette C6.R from the French Larbre Competition team (last year's
No. 3 Corvette).
"The
competition is going to be intense," said Fehan. "We'll
face powerful new Ferraris, redesigned BMWs that won last year's
manufacturer championship, and the defending driver champions in a
Porsche. I can tell you this, nobody is going to go 9-0 this
season!
"Beyond
the value of racing against Corvette's market competitors, every
bit of the technology that we pick up on the race track goes into
the next Corvette production model, and eventually the next
generation Corvette," Fehan said. "We're not going to
disappoint Corvette fans on the race track, and we're not going to
disappoint Corvette customers in the showroom."
The
season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will put the new
hardware, new drivers, and new technology to a grueling test. The
race will start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, and end 12
hours later at 10:30 p.m. The race will be shown live on ESPN3.com
and americanlemans.com from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. ET. ABC will
provide coverage from 12:30 to 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 20.
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page
Corvettes
Run Fastest Lap in GT Class in Every Session of Two-Day Sebring
Test
SEBRING,
Fla., Feb. 10, 2011 –
Corvette Racing's twin Compuware Corvette C6.Rs ran the fastest
laps in all four sessions of the two-day American Le Mans Series
Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway. After Jan Magnussen
turned the quickest times in the first three sessions on the
historic circuit in the No. 4 Corvette C6.R, Olivier Beretta
posted the fastest lap of the test in the GT class with the No. 3
Corvette C6.R in the final session.
Magnussen
piloted the No. 4 Corvette C6.R to a fast lap at 2:02.260 in the
Wednesday morning session, and then improved to 2:02.235 in the
afternoon session and 2:02.197 on Thursday morning. Beretta turned
a 2:02.186 in the No. 3 Corvette C6.R in the final minutes of
Thursday's rain-shortened afternoon session. That lap set the
performance standard among the 16 entries in the GT class for the
only official test before the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours
of Sebring on March 19.
"The team
did a really good job," Beretta said. "We had many
things to test, and we stayed with our plan. Sometimes when you
are testing, you know it is not the right direction, but you have
to keep going. At one point I was like a fish out of water, but my
engineers were 100 percent sure of what they were doing. They told
me to be patient, and when they put everything together, the car
was very quick."
"I
think we've had a good test, and we got through many of the items
we wanted to do," Magnussen said. "We've had no major
issues and we were improving all the time, so I'm very happy. The
GT category is so tough that if you can find even a slight
advantage somewhere, it's going to show on the final results. Of
course, a driver always want more testing – if you have two days
you want three, if you have 10 days you want 11!"
Corvette
Racing participated in the preseason test with two new race cars
and two new drivers, Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook. Milner
gained experience in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R with
co-drivers Antonio Garcia and Beretta, while Westbrook turned laps
in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R that he will share with
Oliver Gavin and Magnussen in endurance events.
Announced as a
full-season driver in the No. 3 Corvette C6.R in January, Milner
settled in quickly with the Corvette Racing team. "I feel
very comfortable in the car now, and getting more laps is good for
me," Milner said. "The crew made some damper adjustments
during my long run in the morning session today, and I could feel
the differences those changes made. That reaffirmed that I can
give good feedback to the engineers, which is important to make
the car better and more consistent."
Westbrook's time
in the No. 4 Corvette was limited by red flags and weather, but
the Briton adapted quickly to his new ride and ran impressive
times in the final session. "We made good progress, and the
changes we made were positive," Westbrook reported. "I'm
getting more comfortable in the car, and it was nice to be in P1
for a while. The Corvette C6.R is an excellent piece, and a
pleasure to drive. Every time I get the call to get in the car, it
puts a smile on my face."
Corvette Racing
went to the ALMS Winter Test with a long to-do list, and checked
most of the boxes. Although the test produced positive results,
much remains to be done before the start of the season in Sebring.
"You never
really know what the competition is doing, but it's good to be
near the top," said team manager Gary Pratt. "A
successful test like this gives everyone confidence, especially
the drivers, and that's a good feeling going into race week. The
new systems in the cars worked well and proved to be reliable.
That's why we test, to make things better."
Corvette Racing
received more good news this week with official invitations to the
24 Hours of Le Mans from the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for
both of its Corvette C6.Rs. The twin Corvettes will compete as
Nos. 73 and 74 in the GTE-Pro class in the 24-hour endurance
classic. Eighteen invitations were issued for the highly
competitive GTE-Pro category.
"One
Corvette C6.R was automatically qualified with our dramatic
victory at Petit Le Mans, but the second Corvette needed an
official invitation from the ACO," explained Corvette Racing
program manager Doug Fehan. "We know what it means to the
fans to have the Corvettes race at Le Mans, and we're looking
forward to competing in the world's greatest sports car race for
the 11th consecutive year."
Corvette
Racing's next event is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in
Sebring, Fla., on Saturday, March 19. The season-opening 12-hour
race will be shown live on ESPN3.com and americanlemans.com
starting at 10 a.m. ET. ABC will televise race highlights from
12:30 to 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 20.
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page
Official
Vehicle Program, Corvette Bridge, and Corvette World Tribute
Highlight New Promotional Partnership
DETROIT,
Feb. 9, 2011 –
Chevrolet and Road America announced a multifaceted marketing
partnership today that will put Chevrolet in the spotlight at one
of America's premier racing venues. Chevrolet is now the Official
Vehicle of Road America, the renowned Corvette Bridge will return
to the historic track, and the Corvette World Tribute will
celebrate Corvette's rich racing heritage.
"As
we celebrate Chevrolet's 100th birthday, it's fitting that two
icons of American racing, Chevrolet and Road America, join
forces," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President for
Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "Road America has
played a prominent role in Chevrolet's racing programs for more
than 55 years, and we look forward to even more success at this
magnificent venue in the future."
The
scenic 4-mile, 14-turn track known as "America's National
Park of Speed" hosts events that span the spectrum of
motorsports, including the American Le Mans Series, NASCAR
Nationwide Series, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, AMA Superbike,
SCCA June Sprints and National Championship Runoffs, and historic
car and motorcycle events.
"Road
America is proud to renew a partnership with Chevrolet," said
George Bruggenthies, Road America president and general manager.
"Chevrolet’s significant mark on the circuit over the past
55 years will make it a pleasure to promote not only their brand
but their successful presence in the American Le Mans Series,
GRAND-AM, NASCAR Nationwide Series, vintage racing and club
racing. The return of the Corvette Bridge will be a great landmark
for our fans at the track and our TV audience."
A
ceremony will be held to rededicate the famed Corvette Bridge,
which spans the track at Turn 6. The Corvette Bridge was a
signature landmark at the track from 1963-81, and the Corvette
logo reappeared on the crossover in 1992. The Corvette World
Tribute, to be held on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, following the
seventh round of the ALMS, will include a Corvette racers reunion,
club and pro series races, a concours, parade laps and other
activities. Road America is working with the Registry of Corvette
Race Cars (RCRC) to coordinate the Corvette World Tribute.
"Our
relationship with Road America provides an opportunity for
Chevrolet to showcase its entire motorsports portfolio and to
connect with current and prospective customers in an exciting and
engaging way throughout the year," said Campbell.
"Chevrolet will activate its sponsorship with trackside
displays and promotions in cooperation with Chevrolet dealer
organizations at many of the events on the Road America
schedule."
Road
America figures prominently in Chevrolet's racing history. Bill
Mitchell, GM’s vice president of design, was an avid racer who
fielded the original Sting Ray racer driven by Corvette legends
John Fitch and Dick Thompson at Road America. Mitchell chose
Elkhart Lake as the venue to preview his stunning Mako Shark
concept car in June 1961; the Shark’s sharp-edged body and
hidden headlights foreshadowed key features of the production 1963
Corvette. Wisconsin-based racers Augie Pabst and Jim Jeffords
excelled in sports car racing in the early ’60s with their
Chevy-powered machines. The lightweight Grand Sport Corvette
created by Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov rumbled
through Road America’s rolling hills with racing luminaries
Roger Penske, Jim Hall and Hap Sharp sharing the driving chores.
Notable Chevrolet racers who have made their mark on the legendary
circuit include Tony DeLorenzo, Jerry Thompson, John Greenwood,
John Heinricy, Ron Fellows, and many more. In modern times,
Corvette Racing has notched six victories at Road America in ALMS
competition.
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Tommy
Milner and Richard Westbrook Join Corvette Racing Roster
DETROIT,
Jan. 21, 2011 – Corvette
Racing will have two new drivers in its lineup for the 2011
American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (pending
official invitation). Tommy Milner will join Olivier Beretta in
the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R for the full season, with
Antonio Garcia continuing as third driver in the Sebring, Le Mans,
and Petit Le Mans endurance races. Richard Westbrook will be
teamed with Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin in the No. 4 Compuware
Corvette C6.R in the three long-distance events.
"At
the conclusion of every season, we review and evaluate all aspects
of the Corvette Racing program," said GM Racing director Mark
Kent. "The level of competition in the GT class is extremely
high, and our goal is to make the team as competitive as possible.
We are pleased to welcome Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook to
Corvette Racing, and we believe that they will help us to reach
our objective."
The
new members of Corvette Racing's driver roster have extensive
experience in world-class GT competition. Milner, 24, of Lake
Mary, Fla., is a second-generation racer who has competed in
formula and sports car series with distinction. Milner has driven
for factory-affiliated teams representing Panoz, Porsche, and BMW,
and has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He finished third in
the ALMS GT standings in 2010.
Westbrook,
35, of London, England, won the FIA GT2 championship in 2009, and
scored podium finishes in 24-hour races at Le Mans (third in GT2)
and Daytona (third overall) in 2010. A two-time Porsche Supercup
champion, Westbrook notched an ALMS GT2 victory at Road America in
2008. He has competed in the Spa and Nurburgring endurance races,
selected ALMS and Grand Am events in the U.S., and the FIA GT1
championship.
"We
look at our competition continuously and intensely, and it became
very clear that Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook have the
qualities we value at Corvette Racing," said Corvette Racing
program manager Doug Fehan. "They are quick, intelligent,
team-oriented, and disciplined in their approach. They will
connect with Corvette fans and represent Chevrolet as a global
brand. We are very excited to have these two talented young
drivers join America's most successful production sports car team,
and we look forward to long and rewarding relationships with both
of them."
Milner
and Westbrook will become the 21st and 22nd drivers to race with
Corvette Racing since the team's debut in 1999. Both have driven
the Corvette C6.Rs in private tests, and will participate in the
ALMS Winter Test in Sebring, Fla., on February 9-10, in
preparation for the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of
Sebring.
"When
you look at sports car racing over the last 10 years, the biggest
name in GT racing has to be Corvette," Milner said.
"With all of the team's victories in Le Mans and the success
they've had here in America, Corvette Racing has a history of
winning. To have the opportunity to be a part of the Corvette
program at this point in my career is very exciting. I'm looking
forward to working with the engineers, the crew, and the other
drivers to make Corvette the powerhouse in endurance racing."
"I've
raced against the Corvette enough times to know it's better to be
driving one than racing against one," Westbrook said.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the Corvette Racing
program for 2011. The Corvette C6.R is an amazing piece of
machinery, very well engineered, and it's just an honor to drive
one. Everyone on the team is hungry for success and expectations
are high, so we have to deliver."
Tommy
Milner
Richard
Westbrook
|
