Dominant Corvettes Back for More at Le Mans

Dominant Corvettes Back for More at Le Mans

Posted: June 6th, 2006 in American Le Mans
Author: Corvette Racing
Photo By: Joe Martin

New Hudson, Mich. – When it comes to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette Racing and the Rolling Stones have much in common. No matter how well they perform, their fans aren’t satisfied with the encores.

When the Stones resume their worldwide tour, they would have a hard time matching Corvette Racing’s success at La Sarthe. Over the past four years, Corvette Racing has won the GT1 championship four times. Six of sports car racing’s legendary drivers will attempt to retain championship status at the world’s most strenuous – and legendary – endurance race.

Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell and Max Papis pilot one Chevrolet Corvette C6.R while Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen direct the other.

“I can’t wait for Le Mans week to begin,” said Gavin, who with Beretta has won the last eight American Le Mans Series events and the last two years at Le Mans in the GT1 class. “It’s the biggest event of the year and I love all of it. The build-up, the test day, the preparation – it’s a real motorsport extravaganza.”

O’Connell will reprise his Spartan existence from last year. While others reside in nearby hotels and other hostelries, O’Connell will bunk in the upper echelon of the Corvette Racing transporter.

“It really works for me. (Wife) Robin and my children have things they’re involved with at home (Flowery Branch, Ga.), and I did not want to disrupt any of that,” O’Connell said.

“This gives me a great ‘feel’ for what Le Mans is all about,” he added. “I just hope that Ron, Max and I will be able to get onto the top podium step. It’s going to be tough, but I really believe this is going to be our year.”

To make it happen, O’Connell/Fellows/Papis must not only thwart their teammates, but also hold off the dual Aston Martin entries.

Through three American Le Mans Series encounters, the Corvette duo has managed to subdue the Aston Martin twosome. A layout the length, breadth and timetable of Le Mans may provide the European marque a major advantage.

“Everyone on the team is going into Le Mans very buoyant and confident but we are aware that there will be a big challenge from the Aston Martins as we hear they’ll have a very competitive package for Le Mans,” Gavin said.

“There will also be a number of other teams capable of challenging us including the Cirtek Aston and the ACEMCO S7R which has been out of the limelight recently preparing for this event,” he added. “That could be a darkhorse.”

“Le Mans is what it is,” Fellows said. “To win there, you have to have a good car, but that car has to persevere. That is what we are looking to do.”

The 24 Hours of Le Mans starts at 5 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 17 and finishes at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 18. The race will be broadcast on SPEED Channel in North America and in Europe on MotorsTV, which will have flag-to-flag, extended 24-hour coverage. Live radio coverage will be available at www.radiolemans.com.

The next round of the 2006 American Le Mans Series is the New England Grand Prix, set for July 1 at Lime Rock Park. The race is scheduled for a 3 p.m. EDT start. CBS Sports will televise the event from 4 to 6 p.m. EDT on July 2. Live coverage will be available at americanlemans.com with American Le Mans Radio and IMSA Live Timing & Scoring.