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General Motors Media Press Release

FOR RELEASE:  October 6, 2001
CONTACT:  Wally Reese, GM Racing Communications wareese@earthlink.net
PHONE:  (303) 979-1133

2001 Petit Le Mans - Corvette Wins No. 6 of 8 ALMS Enduros

Team Earns Team and Manufacturer Championships

BRASELTON, Ga., - The checkered flag fell on the final race of the 2001 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Saturday night October 6, at Road Atlanta with a GM Goodwrench Corvette C5-R in Victory Circle for the sixth time in the eighth race series. The victory put Chevrolet and Corvette Racing in possession of championship titles for top team and top manufacturer in the GTS category.

The win by the No. 4 GM Goodwrench C5-R Corvette, co-driven by Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins and Franck Freon, was their first win of the 2001 season and their first since winning the 2000 Petit Le Mans.

The No. 3 GM Goodwrench C5-R Corvette, driven by Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell and Scott Pruett suffered electrical problems and completed just two laps of the 2.540 mile Road Atlanta course. During the 2001 season Fellows and O'Connell contributed five ALMS wins to the season total.

The final victory gave Chevrolet clear title to the 2001 GTS Manufacturer title with six wins in the eight race, endurance road race series beating out Saleen and Daimler Chrysler, finishing in second and third respectively. Saleen had two wins; Daimler Chrysler none.

The Team Championship, using the same points scoring system, went to Corvette Racing under the leadership of GM Program Manager for the series, Doug Fehan, and Team Manager Gary Pratt of Corvette's racing partner Pratt & Miller.

Although not counting in the ALMS series, the Corvettes scores 1 - 2 finishes in the GTS class in the two classic 24-hour endurance races at Daytona and Le Mans.

Corvette joins Monte Carlo, Silverado and other production-based Chevrolet brands demonstrating Chevrolet performance on the track and on the street.

Related Forum:  Corvette Racing