Ken
Gone but not forgotten
From RacingWest.com:
NEW CORVETTE C6-R READY TO ROLL AT INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
Date: 07/06/2005
SONOMA, CaliforniaThe Chevrolet Corvette has dominated American Le Mans Series competition at Infineon Raceway, and this year the team will arrive with a new arsenal for the Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma, presented by Ravenswood Winery, July 15-17.
The Compuware Corvette Racing team will return to the 12-turn, 2.53-mile circuit with its recently unveiled Corvette C6-R for competition in the GT1 (formerly GTS) class. The new race car is the most technically advanced sports car ever developed by General Motors, gathering years of experience from the dominant Corvette C5-R as well as the advancements brought forth from the next-generation Corvette C6 and Z06 production models.
“Starting with a clean sheet of paper, the team gave us an amazing race car and that is something you always expect from Corvette Racing,” said driver Johnny O’Connell. “Initially we saw tremendous potential with the new Corvette C6-R and every time we have tested the car it's been better. By the time we completed the third test, we had a race car that was very comfortable to drive fast.”
The Corvette has certainly been fast at Infineon Raceway, claiming the last four consecutive GT1 class victories with drivers O’Connell and Ron Fellows – tying an ALMS record for most consecutive victories at a single venue. Oliver Gavin also reset the GT1 class qualifying record at Infineon Raceway in 2004 with a lap of 1 minute, 28.042 seconds (103.451 mph).
"We will try (to keep it going)," said Gavin’s co-driver, Olivier Beretta. "The team is strong, and the car is strong. Our competition will be close. The C5 worked well at Infineon, and I think the C6 will do well. At every track, there is a learning curve. But I think we will be OK."
The Corvettes will likely face stiff competition throughout the 2005 season from the new Maserati Corse MC12 entry. The new Maserati MC12 ALMS endeavor marks the first time in 48 years that Maserati has fielded a full factory race car in the United States.
The Corvette team has been up to the challenge so far this season. The two-car team has combined to capture one-two finishes at the first four ALMS events of the season. Corvette enters the Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma leading the GT1 manufacturer’s points championship, with Fellows and O’Connell tied for the GT1 driver points lead.
Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma American Le Mans Series, presented by Ravenswood Winery.
WHEN: July 15-17
CIRCUIT: 12-turn, 2.53-mile road course
QUALIFYING: Saturday, July 16, two sessions: 2:40-3 p.m. and 3:10-3:30 p.m.
MAIN EVENT: Sunday, July 17: 11 a.m. (2 hours, 45 minutes)
IN ADDITION: The SPEED World Challenge will stage main events in the GT and Touring Car divisions over the weekend.
TICKETS: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com, www.ticketmaster.com
NEW CORVETTE C6-R READY TO ROLL AT INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
Date: 07/06/2005
SONOMA, CaliforniaThe Chevrolet Corvette has dominated American Le Mans Series competition at Infineon Raceway, and this year the team will arrive with a new arsenal for the Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma, presented by Ravenswood Winery, July 15-17.
The Compuware Corvette Racing team will return to the 12-turn, 2.53-mile circuit with its recently unveiled Corvette C6-R for competition in the GT1 (formerly GTS) class. The new race car is the most technically advanced sports car ever developed by General Motors, gathering years of experience from the dominant Corvette C5-R as well as the advancements brought forth from the next-generation Corvette C6 and Z06 production models.
“Starting with a clean sheet of paper, the team gave us an amazing race car and that is something you always expect from Corvette Racing,” said driver Johnny O’Connell. “Initially we saw tremendous potential with the new Corvette C6-R and every time we have tested the car it's been better. By the time we completed the third test, we had a race car that was very comfortable to drive fast.”
The Corvette has certainly been fast at Infineon Raceway, claiming the last four consecutive GT1 class victories with drivers O’Connell and Ron Fellows – tying an ALMS record for most consecutive victories at a single venue. Oliver Gavin also reset the GT1 class qualifying record at Infineon Raceway in 2004 with a lap of 1 minute, 28.042 seconds (103.451 mph).
"We will try (to keep it going)," said Gavin’s co-driver, Olivier Beretta. "The team is strong, and the car is strong. Our competition will be close. The C5 worked well at Infineon, and I think the C6 will do well. At every track, there is a learning curve. But I think we will be OK."
The Corvettes will likely face stiff competition throughout the 2005 season from the new Maserati Corse MC12 entry. The new Maserati MC12 ALMS endeavor marks the first time in 48 years that Maserati has fielded a full factory race car in the United States.
The Corvette team has been up to the challenge so far this season. The two-car team has combined to capture one-two finishes at the first four ALMS events of the season. Corvette enters the Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma leading the GT1 manufacturer’s points championship, with Fellows and O’Connell tied for the GT1 driver points lead.
Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Infineon Technologies Grand Prix of Sonoma American Le Mans Series, presented by Ravenswood Winery.
WHEN: July 15-17
CIRCUIT: 12-turn, 2.53-mile road course
QUALIFYING: Saturday, July 16, two sessions: 2:40-3 p.m. and 3:10-3:30 p.m.
MAIN EVENT: Sunday, July 17: 11 a.m. (2 hours, 45 minutes)
IN ADDITION: The SPEED World Challenge will stage main events in the GT and Touring Car divisions over the weekend.
TICKETS: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com, www.ticketmaster.com
ALL TIMES PACIFIC
