Ken
Gone but not forgotten
From Motorsport.com:
Gavin looking for a fight in 2005
MONDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2005
The team dominated the GT1 class during 2004, winning its class in every event on the ALMS calendar and also taking class honours at Le Mans, but will face increased competition with the new C6-R this season, with Aston Martin, Ferrari, Saleen and Chrysler all hoping to challenge. Maserati will also be entering its MC12, although the Italian car will be ineligible to score points as it does not fit IMSA regulations.
However Gavin, who will again be partnered by Olivier Beretta this season (with Jan Magnussen joining the duo at Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans) believes the increased competition will be good for the team, and admitted he was ‘frustrated' at the way the team dominated last season.
“So much of what we learnt on the C5-R has been passed over to the C6-R and we've had some really good tests including the recent one at Sebring,” he said. “Last year, despite all our success, was a bit frustrating as we really wanted to be racing hard against strong opposition and that unfortunately never materialised - that's the reason 2003 was so enjoyable. Despite us losing out to the Prodrive Ferraris on a few occasions, we all – and I mean everyone in the team – really enjoyed it because the harder you fight, the sweeter the win.
“Le Mans last year was fantastic for all of us at Corvette for that very reason. It was so close between the two teams [Ferrari and Corvette] for the whole race, and we weren't sure which way it would go until quite late in the race, it showed what a great team effort there was from everyone.
“For me, Le Mans really reinforced what a fantastic team Corvette Racing is. I've really got to know everyone well, having driven for them for so long now, and I feel very much at home. There's a real family feeling and Robin and Gary Pratt really work hard at keeping a good atmosphere in the team. Add into the equation great characters such as Doug Fehan and it's lots of fun. Doug manages to guide and motivate us all individually as well as a team unit and, as you can imagine, there's always some story going on, so we play hard as well as work hard!”
Gavin looking for a fight in 2005
MONDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2005
British sportscar star Oliver Gavin has admitted that he hopes the all conquering Corvette Racing team will have more competition when the new ALMS season kicks off at Sebring on 19 March.
Oliver Gavin pulls on his protective gear [Pic credit: ALMS/Rick Dole]
The team dominated the GT1 class during 2004, winning its class in every event on the ALMS calendar and also taking class honours at Le Mans, but will face increased competition with the new C6-R this season, with Aston Martin, Ferrari, Saleen and Chrysler all hoping to challenge. Maserati will also be entering its MC12, although the Italian car will be ineligible to score points as it does not fit IMSA regulations.
However Gavin, who will again be partnered by Olivier Beretta this season (with Jan Magnussen joining the duo at Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans) believes the increased competition will be good for the team, and admitted he was ‘frustrated' at the way the team dominated last season.
“So much of what we learnt on the C5-R has been passed over to the C6-R and we've had some really good tests including the recent one at Sebring,” he said. “Last year, despite all our success, was a bit frustrating as we really wanted to be racing hard against strong opposition and that unfortunately never materialised - that's the reason 2003 was so enjoyable. Despite us losing out to the Prodrive Ferraris on a few occasions, we all – and I mean everyone in the team – really enjoyed it because the harder you fight, the sweeter the win.
“Le Mans last year was fantastic for all of us at Corvette for that very reason. It was so close between the two teams [Ferrari and Corvette] for the whole race, and we weren't sure which way it would go until quite late in the race, it showed what a great team effort there was from everyone.
“For me, Le Mans really reinforced what a fantastic team Corvette Racing is. I've really got to know everyone well, having driven for them for so long now, and I feel very much at home. There's a real family feeling and Robin and Gary Pratt really work hard at keeping a good atmosphere in the team. Add into the equation great characters such as Doug Fehan and it's lots of fun. Doug manages to guide and motivate us all individually as well as a team unit and, as you can imagine, there's always some story going on, so we play hard as well as work hard!”
