Beretta Claims Record 18th Career Pole, O’Connell Qualifies Second in Portland Heat Wave Portland, Ore. – There was no relief from the 100-degree heat at Portland International Raceway today, but there was some relief for Corvette Racing from the rulemakers. After performance handicaps imposed at the preceding race in Salt Lake City were rescinded, Corvette driver Olivier Beretta won the GT1 pole for the 18th time, extending his American Le Mans Series record for career poles. Beretta covered the 1.94-mile …
Chevrolet Factory Team Seeks Reversal of Fortune at Portland International Raceway Portland, Ore. – The Portland Grand Prix, to be contested at Portland International Raceway on July 22, will kick off the second half of the ALMS season for Corvette Racing. The first half of the season was highlighted by Corvette victories in Sebring, Houston, Mid-Ohio and Le Mans. But back-to-back losses in Lime Rock and Salt Lake City in the wake of rule changes will provide strong motivation for …
GM, Compuware and Corvette Owners Celebrate Corvette Racing’s Fifth Le Mans Victory DETROIT – American Thunder rumbled through the streets of Motor City today when a Corvette caravan commemorated Corvette Racing’s fifth victory in the GT1 class at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The celebration began with the presentation of the 24 Hours of Le Mans trophy at Compuware Corporation, the primary sponsor of the championship-winning Corvette C6.R race cars, and concluded at GM World Headquarters at the …
O’Connell and Fellows Are Top Finishers for Chevrolet as Performance Adjustments Handicap Corvettes SALT LAKE CITY – For the first time since October 2003, Corvette Racing didn’t finish first or second in the GT1 class in American Le Mans Series competition. Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell had to settle for third place in today’s inaugural Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park as the effects of series-mandated handicaps throttled the Corvettes’ performance at this high-altitude track. The win went to …
O’Connell and Gavin Contend with Heat, Altitude and Performance Handicaps at Miller Motorsports Park SALT LAKE CITY – Scorching heat, high altitude and performance handicaps took their toll on Corvette Racing in qualifying for Saturday’s inaugural American Le Mans Series Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park. Johnny O’Connell qualified the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R third in the GT1 class at 2:37.414 (102.593 mph) and Oliver Gavin was fourth in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R at 2:37.626 (102.455 …
GM to Salute Le Mans-Winning Corvette Racing Team with Parade and Presentations on July 18 DETROIT – A victory celebration that began in June on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France, will continue when GM stages a star-spangled salute to Corvette Racing in downtown Detroit on July 18. The event will spotlight Corvette Racing’s fifth victory in the GT1 class at the world’s greatest sports car race. The celebration will begin with an …
Corvette Racing Aims to Overcome Altitude and Competition Adjustments in First ALMS Race at Miller Motorsports Park SALT LAKE CITY – Although Corvette Racing’s championship-winning Corvette C6.R race cars haven’t turned a tire at Miller Motorsports Park, Chevrolet’s factory team has already completed hundreds of virtual laps around the immense 4.5-mile circuit. Sophisticated computer simulation software gives the team a head start on setting up the cars for the inaugural ALMS Utah Grand Prix on July 15. “The laptime simulation …
O’Connell and Fellows Come Within Inches of First Win of Season LAKEVILLE, Conn. – Holiday traffic was heavy today at Lime Rock Park in the fourth round of the American Le Mans Series, with hard contact and close calls the order of the day in the New England Grand Prix. Corvette Racing’s bid for a record 13th consecutive victory in the GT1 class came up just short in a photo finish between the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R and the …
Fellows Takes Second on GT1 Grid for ALMS New England Grand Prix LAKEVILLE, Conn. – Crew chief Dan Binks’ final instructions to driver Ron Fellows before the start of qualifying were succinct: “Have fun out there.” When Fellows returned to the Corvette Racing pits after taking the second spot on the GT1 grid for Saturday’s New England Grand Prix, his report was equally brief. “Guys, that was fun!” he radioed to the crew of the No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R. …
Le Mans-Winning Corvette Team Renews Rivalry with Aston Martin on American Soil LAKEVILLE, Conn. – Just days ago, Corvette Racing’s twin Corvette C6.R race cars were thundering through the French countryside on the immense 8.5-mile Le Mans circuit. On July 1, they’ll be racing on Lime Rock Park’s roller coaster 1.54-mile track nestled in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. The transition from the longest track on the schedule to the shortest requires not only a change of equipment but also a change …