History >> Press Releases

GM Media Press Release

FOR RELEASE:  June 21, 2002
CONTACT(S):
Joanne Krell, GM Racing Communications
(313) 665-2443
joanne.k.krell@gm.com

GM to Celebrate Corvette's Le Mans Victory at Goodwood Festival of Speed

DETROIT - Chevrolet's Corvette has conquered the 24 Hours of Le Mans for two straight years, scoring consecutive one-two GTS finishes in the world's most demanding endurance race. This year's Le Mans-winning No. 63 Corvette C5-R will go directly from the Mulsanne Straight to Lord March's driveway as part of a yearlong celebration leading up to the marque's 50th anniversary in 2003.

Gavin to drive Le Mans-winning Corvette at Goodwood
Briton Oliver Gavin, a member of the victorious Corvette Racing team, will put Chevy's sports car icon through its paces at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 12-14, 2002. Gavin and teammates Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell completed 335 laps around the legendary 8.5-mile La Sarthe circuit in this car on the way to their victory. While Gavin's drive will be much shorter at Goodwood, the pressure to perform also will be intense.

Corvette is a performance icon
"An event that celebrates 'On the Limit - a History of Heroes' wouldn't be complete without Corvette," said Rick Baldick, marketing director for Corvette. "For 49 years, Corvette has remained true to its two-seat sports car heritage, offering power, performance, handling and technology - on-the-limit driving pleasure to those who value high performance. Racing is the crucible that forged Corvette's legendary reputation, and Corvette's list of winning drivers includes many racing heroes of past and present."

Production Corvette incorporates advanced technology
The production Corvette that provides the platform for the C5-R racing version is equipped with a standard 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine that produces 350 horsepower in production trim. Corvette incorporates advanced technology such as hydroformed frame rails, Active Handling System, driver-selectable suspension modes and optional Head-Up Display.

GM applies lessons learned in racing
"The Corvette race program continues GM's tradition of racing production-based vehicles," added Baldick. "It is a commitment that has taken Chevy's two-seater from the sands of Daytona Beach, Fla., in the '50s to wins at Le Mans last year and this year. Race and production car engineers work closely together to ensure that lessons learned on the track benefit every Corvette on the highway."

"For many years, Corvette was a symbol of American motorsports," said Gavin. "Now with back-to-back victories in Le Mans, Corvette is a proven champion in the global arena as well. I can't wait to show the spectators - and especially my fellow countrymen - at the Festival of Speed the raw power and refined performance that made the Corvette C5-R a winner."

Corvette Racing brings winning attitude to Goodwood
Corvette has traveled a long and winding road from Main Street to Lord March's driveway. The distance is not measured in miles, but rather in attitude. For Oliver Gavin and the Corvette Racing team, the Festival of Speed is another world to conquer.

OLIVER GAVIN (GB) BIOGRAPHY
Born: Sept. 29, 1972
Le Mans Entries: 2
Le Mans Best: 1st (2002 - Chevrolet Corvette)

Career Highlights:

1991 British Formula First Champion, 11 wins

1992 British Formula Vauxhall Vice-Champion (Village), 4 wins

1993 British Formula 3 Vice-Champion (Dallara-Vauxhall), 5 wins

1994 International F3000 Championship (Omegaland, Nordic)

1995 British Formula 3 Champion (Dallara-Vauxhall), 6 wins

1996 International Touring Car Championship (Opel)

1997 International F3000 Championship (Salisbury)

1998 Test driver Formula 1 (Benetton)

1999 International F3000 Championship (Edenbridge)
Test driver Formula 1 (Benetton)

2000 GrandAm Championship (Lola)
Test driver Formula 1 (Benetton)

2001 American Le Mans Series (Saleen)
Winner GTS 12 Hours of Sebring (Saleen)
Le Mans (Saleen), 3rd GTS
Test driver Formula 1 (Benetton)

2002 American Le Mans Series (Corvette)
Winner GTS 12 Hours Of Sebring (Corvette)
Le Mans (Corvette), 1st GTS
Test driver Formula 1 (Renault)