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GM Media Press ReleaseNote: Pictures and information are from GM Communications.
FOR RELEASE: May 19, 2002 Serge Vanbockryck Corvette C5-Rs 1 - 2 in Sears Point ALMSSONOMA. Calif., - May 19, 2002 - Two new Corvette C5-R race cars started first and second in heavy, wet conditions and finished 1 - 2 in dry conditions in their first American Le Mans Series start Sunday, May 19. The No. 3 GM Goodwrench Corvette, with Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell sharing the driving duties, finished 1st in GTS and 5th overall in the 2 hour 45-minute race. They finished a one-lap ahead of the No. 4 Corvette of Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins, second place in GTS and 7th overall. The Ferrari 550 Maranello of Naspetti and Schiatarella finished in third, four laps down. Sears Point was second win of the 2002 season for Fellows and O'Connell having won the GTS class in March at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Fellows, who claimed the GTS pole at Sebring, also started in the pole position at Sears Point. "We ran a lot better than I thought we would," said Fellows who started the race from the GTS pole position. " At the start we had kind of a mixed bag front to rear in terms of which Goodyear rain tire to use. We went with the older tire on the rear, and it worked. It was perfect." "I was actually surprised that we were able to run as quick as we were, "said Fellows. At the start and the restart we struggled a little bit but when we got a little heat in the tires we started to pull away a little bit. Right at the end of the stint I started to lose grip and it was time for a change. We went to dry tires and the timing appears to have worked out for us." "The Corvette race engineers gave us a great car," said O'Connell who took over from Fellows just past the half-way mark, "but the credit really goes to Ron (Fellows). He gave me a huge lead and when you get in the car with a lap lead … you are lookin' pretty good. I think we had a car that have could beat anyone today." "This is our first race with this car and it was beautiful and Goodyear always gives us good tires," said O'Connell. "The whole Pratt and Miller crew work so hard that they make our job (driving) easy." "We've got a lot to learn with these new cars," said Corvette Program manager Doug Fehan, "and there are no secrets - just great preparation. We've got great drivers who do a good job and don't make mistakes. We had terrific pit stops and good strategy today. That's what makes it happen." The next race for the Corvette team will be in June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where they will defend their 2001 1 - 2 GTS finish. The team completed a one-day test on the French circuit in May with the two 2001 cars and stored them in anticipation of the June 15 -16 classic. Following the Le Mans race, those two cars will be 'retired' and the two Sears point cars will complete the 2002 ALMS season gunning for a second manufacturer championship. TOP TEN FINISHING POSITIONS POS CAR# DRIVER(S) MAKE CLASS TIME Diff |
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