26Sep2005
Papis’ Passion: A Little Red Corvette
Max Papis Drives the American Dream Behind the Wheel of His 1958 Corvette MIAMI – Growing up in Italy, young Max Papis dreamed that one day he would be a successful race car driver and own a blood-red sports car. It would have a powerful V-8 engine and a proud racing heritage. It would have style and timeless design. And it would wear a red Bowtie from Michigan, not a prancing horse from Maranello. Papis achieved his dream. He has …
Translating Success on the Track into Success in the Showroom DETROIT – Life on the mean streets of New York prepared Gary Claudio for life in the fast lane of auto racing. The former street cop may have traded his bulletproof vest and pistol for a polo shirt and a cell phone, but Claudio has lost none of his street smarts. “Five years as a New York policeman taught me how to deal with all aspects of society,” Claudio said. …
Corvette Racing Notebook for Petit Le Mans, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 BRASELTON, Ga. – As Paul Revere once said in a slightly different context, “The British are coming!” This weekend’s Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta marks the renewal of sports car racing’s fiercest rivalry as America’s Corvette Racing takes on the British Aston Martin team in the rubber match of international endurance racing. The score stands at 1-1 going into Saturday’s 1,000-mile/10-hour event at Road Atlanta. The Prodrive …
20Sep2005
GM Racing Technology: Safety
The Science of Safety Safety in racing spans a wide spectrum, from protective apparel and restraint systems to vehicle construction, track design and emergency response team training. GM Racing instituted the Racing Safety Program to advance the science of racing safety on all fronts. The Racing Safety Program is a key element in GM Racing’s research and development program. Since its inception in June 1992, the safety program has expanded from its initial focus on Indy cars to encompass stock …
Gavin and Beretta Claim GT1 Points Lead as Corvettes Score 1-2 Finish in Canada BOWMANVILLE, Ont. Corvette Racing labored long and hard in the Labor Day Weekend Grand Prix of Mosport, and the toil paid off with the team’s seventh victory of the season in the American Le Mans Series. The 2-hour, 30-minute race was literally won in the pits as a quick final stop by the crew of the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R vaulted Oliver Gavin into the …
Intense Competition in ALMS Ends Corvette Racing’s GT1 Pole Qualifying Streak BOWMANVILLE, Ont., The Corvette C6.R’s seven-race streak of fast qualifying times in the American Le Mans Series ended today at Mosport International Raceway. Corvette Racing’s Oliver Gavin was the second fastest qualifier in the GT1 class at 1:13.765 (120.008 mph) in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Mosport. Ron Fellows was fourth fastest with the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R at 1:13.891 (119.803 mph). …
Racer Turns Promoter in Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – Ron Fellows wears many hats – and many helmets. In addition to competing in the ALMS, SCCA, Grand American and NASCAR racing series, Fellows is also the driving force in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship. Now in its fourth season, the karting series provides a training ground for more than 200 aspiring young racers. It also provides a different perspective on the sport for the man who …
Corvette Racing Notebook for the Grand Prix of Mosport, Sept. 2-4 BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – Like singer Aretha Franklin, Mosport International Raceway demands respect. That’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It’s the fastest track on the American Le Mans Series circuit, a course that takes a driver’s breath away. Ask Ron Fellows, the acknowledged master of Mosport. The Canadian ace began his racing career at the Ontario track nearly 30 years ago. He’s still in awe of this 2.46-mile circuit. “Mosport is one place where …
Local Hero Joins Papis and Pilgrim in Team Cadillac’s Quest for SPEED GT Championships BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – With the drivers and manufacturers championships on the line in the penultimate round of the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT on Sept. 3, Team Cadillac will have three bullets in its gun at the Grand Prix of Mosport. Ron Fellows of Mississauga, Ont., will be aiming for a repeat victory in the SPEED GT race at Mosport International Raceway. Fellows will pull double …
Gavin Gone with the Wind in Wisconsin, Claims 11th Career ALMS Pole ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – On a windy day in America’s dairyland, Oliver Gavin put America’s performance icon on the GT1 pole for Sunday’s Generac 500 at Road America. Gavin extended Corvette Racing’s season-long pole qualifying streak in ALMS competition and recorded the fastest qualifying lap for the third time in four races at this fast 4-mile circuit. Gavin turned the quickest qualifying lap in the No. 4 Compuware …