Corvette’s 45-Year Heritage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans LE MANS, France – This year’s edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to be contested on June 18-19, marks Corvette’s 45th anniversary at the Circuit of the Sarthe. In 1960, the thunder of a GM small-block V-8 engine first rocked Tertre Rouge, resonated on the Mulsanne Straight, and rumbled through Arnage. While Chevrolet is widely recognized as an iconic American brand and the most successful manufacturer in American …
Test Day Provides Essential Information on New Corvette Race Cars for Upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans LE MANS, France – Corvette Racing introduced its new C6.R race cars to Le Mans in a day of trouble-free testing on the Circuit des 24 Heures. The extended test session provided valuable information on the new race cars for both Corvette Racing’s six drivers and GM Racing engineers. Today’s test was the only opportunity for Chevy’s factory team to evaluate its new …
Previously C6.R Chassis Engineer for the Corvette Racing Team DETROIT – General Motors has named Steve Wesoloski as the new road racing group manager for GM Racing. Beginning this month, Wesoloski will oversee engineering and budgets for GM’s motorsports programs in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), SPEED SCCA World Challenge and the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Previously Wesoloski was the GM Racing C6.R chassis engineer for the Corvette Racing team. Also during that time, Wesoloski was the …
From Dusty Midwestern Bullrings to the Top Step of the Podium at Le Mans A racing odyssey that began 54 years ago at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y., has taken Doug Fehan to victory celebrations at the world’s greatest race tracks. Fehan has traveled a long and winding road from the dusty Midwestern bullrings where he began his career, to the top step of the podium at Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona. While Fehan’s official title is GM Racing …
Corvette Racing Notebook for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Test, June 5, 2005 LE MANS, France – The 24 Hours of Le Mans is road racing’s Super Bowl, Olympics and World Cup, all combined in a manic 24-hour marathon on two-lane country roads in France’s Loire Valley. Corvette Racing’s quest for its fourth Le Mans GT1 title begins with the traditional Le Mans test day on June 5 – but in fact, planning for this overseas odyssey began the …
Fellows and O’Connell Win Again in Wet and Wild Race LEXINGTON, Ohio – Corvette Racing drivers Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell scored their second consecutive victory with the new Corvette C6.R in today’s American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio, but the win was anything but routine. Fellows’ No. 3 Compuware Corvette was second in the GT1 class at the finish, but a 20-second penalty levied on the leading No. 4 Compuware Corvette driven by Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta elevated Fellows …
Gavin Wins GT1 Pole for Second Time at Corvette Racing’s Home Track LEXINGTON, Ohio – Corvette Racing’s bright yellow Compuware Corvettes qualified at the head of the GT1 class today at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Sunday’s American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio. Driving the No. 4 Corvette C6.R, Oliver Gavin edged his teammate Johnny O’Connell in the No. 3 Corvette by .1-second to win the GT1 pole for the second straight year at Mid-Ohio. Both Corvettes eclipsed the track …
17May2005
Zen and the Art of Auto Racing
Karate Helps O’Connell Prepare Physically and Mentally for 24 Hours of Le Mans Walking down a dark alley in a dodgy part of town, Johnny O’Connell is the man you want at your back. Along with two championships and 22 career victories in the American Le Mans Series, O’Connell also has a black belt in karate. In O’Connell’s world, racing and martial arts are closely related disciplines; both demand mental focus and physical toughness. As preparations begin for Corvette Racing’s …
Corvette Racing Notebook for the American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio, May 20-22 LEXINGTON, Ohio – Johnny O’Connell, Ron Fellows and Corvette Racing bring a perfect record to the American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio, the third round of the American Le Mans Series. O’Connell and Fellows have won the GT1 class in every ALMS event contested on the 2.25-mile Mid-Ohio circuit, and Corvette Racing has posted 1-2 finishes in every ALMS race held at the scenic Ohio track. O’Connell and Fellows …
Fellows and O’Connell Score First Victory for New Corvette Race Car BRASELTON, Ga. – Corvette Racing made history today at Road Atlanta when Johnny O’Connell and Ron Fellows drove the new Corvette C6.R to its first victory. Following in the tire tracks of the championship-winning Corvette C5-R, the production-based Corvette C6.R notched Corvette Racing’s 36th win at the Sportsbook.com Grand Prix of Atlanta. Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta were second across the strip to score a 1-2 finish for Corvette …