Ken
Gone but not forgotten
From PlanetLeMans:
Gavin Recovers from Spin for Second in GT1 at Atlanta
Monday, 18 April 2005
American Le Mans Series 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. Johnny O'Connell brought the #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R into first place in the GT1 Class at the Grand Prix of Atlanta, the second round of the 2005 American Le Mans Series.
Oliver Gavin had taken over the sister #4 Corvette from team mate Olivier Beretta in second place in class when a spin at the bottom of the hill at Turn 10 left him in the gravel trap and dropped them to 5th place. He then fought his way back through the field to regain the position and record a Corvette 1-2 finish.
Denis Murray / Planetlemans.com
"I put a little drama into the day - going off in Turn 10 was not in the plan," Olly explained. "I think I had the brake balance just a little too far to the rear. When I got hard on the brake pedal, it just locked the rears and looped me into the gravel."
Oliver then proceeded to hunt down and overtake the Maserati MC12 and Saleen S7R that had benefited from his misfortune. With 12 minutes left in the race, he passed the Maserati in Turn 10 and secured the second spot on the podium.
"I had to pass the Saleen and pass the Maserati, and they were very strong," he noted. "In the season to come we're going to have some very good races."
Johnny O'Connell put the #3 C6.R on the GT1 pole, and he and Ron Fellows led the class for the entire 2-hour, 45-minute race. They finished fifth overall and one lap ahead of Gavin and Beretta.
"Ron and I were able to get the last win in the C5-R, and to get the first win with the C6.R at my home track is very special," said O'Connell, who lives seven miles from the Road Atlanta circuit. "I knew in qualifying that this was the best car I've driven since I joined Corvette Racing. Ron and I did what we always do - push as hard as we can and stay out of trouble." GM Racing program manager Doug Fehan has played a key role in every Corvette Racing victory. He characterized today's 1-2 finish by the factory team as another example of the racing spirit that infuses every Corvette. "Today's race again demonstrated that this team just does not give up," said Fehan. "The cars ran flawlessly all day long. Except for the slight off by Olly, it was clockwork." The next round of the American Le Mans Series will be contested at the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 22.
Gavin Recovers from Spin for Second in GT1 at Atlanta
Monday, 18 April 2005
Oliver Gavin had taken over the sister #4 Corvette from team mate Olivier Beretta in second place in class when a spin at the bottom of the hill at Turn 10 left him in the gravel trap and dropped them to 5th place. He then fought his way back through the field to regain the position and record a Corvette 1-2 finish.
"I put a little drama into the day - going off in Turn 10 was not in the plan," Olly explained. "I think I had the brake balance just a little too far to the rear. When I got hard on the brake pedal, it just locked the rears and looped me into the gravel."
Oliver then proceeded to hunt down and overtake the Maserati MC12 and Saleen S7R that had benefited from his misfortune. With 12 minutes left in the race, he passed the Maserati in Turn 10 and secured the second spot on the podium.
"I had to pass the Saleen and pass the Maserati, and they were very strong," he noted. "In the season to come we're going to have some very good races."
Johnny O'Connell put the #3 C6.R on the GT1 pole, and he and Ron Fellows led the class for the entire 2-hour, 45-minute race. They finished fifth overall and one lap ahead of Gavin and Beretta.
"Ron and I were able to get the last win in the C5-R, and to get the first win with the C6.R at my home track is very special," said O'Connell, who lives seven miles from the Road Atlanta circuit. "I knew in qualifying that this was the best car I've driven since I joined Corvette Racing. Ron and I did what we always do - push as hard as we can and stay out of trouble." GM Racing program manager Doug Fehan has played a key role in every Corvette Racing victory. He characterized today's 1-2 finish by the factory team as another example of the racing spirit that infuses every Corvette. "Today's race again demonstrated that this team just does not give up," said Fehan. "The cars ran flawlessly all day long. Except for the slight off by Olly, it was clockwork." The next round of the American Le Mans Series will be contested at the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 22.
