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Press Release:


CORVETTE RACING AT LIME ROCK PARK: We’re Back!

Team returns to Connecticut for first time since 2013 ALMS season



Four class victories for Corvette Racing at Lime Rock
Garcia, Magnussen runners-up in team’s last two Lime Rock races
Gavin, Milner enter with GTLM Championship lead
Chevrolet out front in GT Le Mans Manufacturer points


DETROIT (July 19, 2016) – Corvette Racing’s tour of classic North American circuits continues this weekend with the team’s return to Lime Rock Park for the first time since 2013. The Northeast Grand Prix is the seventh race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the two-car program as Corvette Racing looks to reclaim its winning ways with a new generation of race car.



Saturday’s two-hour, 40-minute race – which airs live on the FOX network – is the first at the 1.54-mile, seven-turn circuit for the Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. It will look to add to the legacy established by its predecessors – the Corvette C5-R and Corvette C6.R race cars that combined to win four times at the circuit from 2004-2008.



The driver lineups for Corvette Racing remain the same as the team’s last Lime Rock appearance – Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R with GTLM Driver’s Championship leaders Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner in the No. 4 Corvette.



Of the driving roster, Gavin has found the most success with three victories at the circuit and pole position in 2008. Garcia and Magnussen were runners-up in both 2012 and 2013 in the final two years of the Corvette C6.R.



The challenges at Lime Rock Park are many, the quartet of Corvette Racing drivers say. The location of the track and time of year can make it one of the most taxing physically with the heat and humidity – even with on-board air conditioning in the Corvette C7.R



However, the lasting memory of Lime Rock Park according to the drivers is the incredible amount of traffic they typically must navigate on any given lap around the track. At Lime Rock, on average there will be one car for every 0.05 miles of race track. Compare that to one car per every 0.14 miles at Le Mans, which is 8.5 miles in length and featured 60 cars this year.



This year’s Lime Rock race features 32 cars and three of the four classes in the WeatherTech Championship.



The 2016-spec Corvette C7.R is an updated racecar due to changes in Automobile Club de l’Ouest regulations for top-level GT cars that compete in the IMSA GTLM class. There are a number of aerodynamic changes including a larger splitter at the front and diffuser at the rear of the Corvette. Side skirts and a repositioned wing also are among the most notable changes, along with updated safety features that are now mandated on all GTLM cars.



The two-hour, 40-minute Northeast Grand Prix is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 23 with live coverage on FOX. IMSA Radio coverage and Chevrolet on-board cameras will be available on IMSA.com.



ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SIRIUS-XM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “This race is very difficult on the strategy. It demands a lot from the drivers and the engineers. Every lap counts, and there will be a lot of them. You can lose a lot of time and laps if everything isn’t perfect on a pit stop, for example. Track position is very important as it’s difficult to pass there. The last time we were there, Jan and I finished second. It’s a big challenge for the team, the drivers and engineers. I hope we can put on a good show.”



JAN MAGNUSSEN, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SIRIUS-XM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “Lime Rock definitely is a unique track for us and one that I enjoy. Racing there reminds me a lot of some of the Touring Car and Thundersport events I’ve done in Denmark. It’s very close-quarters racing and you don’t have any time to rest. You have to be super-focused on every lap because of the traffic. There are penalties to be had for making even small mistakes there so you have to be nearly perfect to contend for a win. It has been a few years since we last raced there and it would be nice to continue the momentum from Canada a couple of weeks ago… and even move up a couple steps on the podium.”



OLIVER GAVIN, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SIRIUS-XM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “It’s the shortest circuit and shortest lap we run every year, but it always has been a challenge physically and mentally with the heat and humidity this time of year. Historically the grip level has been quite low there. You always feel you’re racing everyone all the time because it is so crowded. Physically it’s not that difficult but mentally it can really sap you. You’re constantly coming around to the same spot on the track again, again and again. You can almost get dizzy there because you’re coming around so fast!”



TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SIRIUS-XM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “There are great fans who always turned out well when we raced there with the American Le Mans Series. It’s always a challenge because the track is so physical; there are no breaks there. Right in the middle of the summertime, that area around the track is gets really hot and humid. So physically it’s demanding, and it will be a big challenge in that regard. We’re going back after a couple of years with the extra downforce in the cars; we should see some pretty quick lap times, which will make it even more demanding. For that, it’s exciting with that challenge. It can be pretty hard to pass there. Based on how the classes line up, it could be a very challenging race. I know there are a lot of fans that were disappointed that our class hasn’t been back there for a few years, so I hope they show up in droves for this year’s race.”



DOUG FEHAN, CORVETTE RACING PROGRAM MANAGER: “It was only about a month ago when we were at the longest track on which we compete. We’re now headed to the shortest track on which we will race. That presents a myriad of challenges for crew, the drivers and the engineers. Our level of experience and diversity of capabilities should prove to be a real benefit for when we compete at Lime Rock.”



2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – GTLM Standings (After six of 10 events)

Driver Standings
Team Standings
Manufacturer Standings

1. Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 192

2. Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbook – 187

3. Bill Auberlen/Dirk Werner – 170

4. Earl Bamber/Frederic Makowiecki – 166

T5. Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 164

T5. Giancarlo Fisichella/Toni Vilander – 164
1. No. 4 Corvette Racing – 192

2. No. 67 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing – 187

3. No. 25 BMW Team RLL – 170

4. No. 912 Porsche North America – 166

5. No. 3 Corvette Racing – 164
1. Chevrolet – 192

2. Ford – 185

3. Porsche – 181

4. BMW – 174

5. Ferrari – 174




Corvette Racing at Lime Rock Park

Year
Class
Drivers
Result
Car
Notes

2004
GTS
Fellows/O'Connell
2nd
Corvette C5-R

GTS
Beretta/Gavin
1st
Corvette C5-R
Beretta pole, fastest race lap

2005
GT1
Fellows/O'Connell
2nd
Corvette C6.R

GT1
Beretta/Gavin
1st
Corvette C6.R
Beretta pole, fastest race lap

2006
GT1
Fellows/O'Connell
2nd
Corvette C6.R

GT1
Beretta/Gavin
4th
Corvette C6.R
Beretta fastest race lap

2007
GT1
Magnussen/O'Connell
2nd
Corvette C6.R
O'Connell fastest race lap

GT1
Beretta/Gavin
1st
Corvette C6.R

2008
GT1
Magnussen/O'Connell
1st
Corvette C6.R

GT1
Beretta/Gavin
2nd
Corvette C6.R
Gavin pole, Beretta fastest race lap

2010
GT
Magnussen/O'Connell
12th
Corvette C6.R
Retired after 35 laps (accident)

GT
Beretta/Gavin
5th
Corvette C6.R

2011
GT
Beretta/Milner
9th
Corvette C6.R

GT
Gavin/Magnussen
10th
Corvette C6.R

2012
GT
Garcia/Magnussen
2nd
Corvette C6.R

GT
Gavin/Milner
3rd
Corvette C6.R

2013
GT
Garcia/Magnussen
2nd
Corvette C6.R

GT
Gavin/Milner
6th
Corvette C6.R

F4Gary

WOW! 100th win and a 1-2 finish!!

tzeller

Great race! Congratulations Corvette racing.

GFaulk

Fantastic results for Corvette Racing. I'm really looking forward to Austin. I've been to all of the races at COTA. This year I'll actually get to watch and I'll be parking in the Corvette Coral.


Gary

Bluefire

Congratulations to the Corvette Race Team.
Not only the 100th win but the 60th 1-2 finish.

bet they are...

Subfixer

Super race at the track today! Hot, but exciting!

sdurg24

Fabulous day for Corvette Racing. We braved the heat and were treated to some incredible driving by all 4 of the Corvette Drivers. Corvette Racing is all about teamwork and they really did themselves proud Saturday at Lime Rock. Make no mistake about it though, we out drove the competition yesterday. Consistent lap times with constant pressure on the leaders paid off in the end. Thank you Tommy and Ollie and Jan kept the number 3 close so when Antonio took over his considerable skills drove the fords behind. What a finish!

cor123

CORVETTE RACING AT LIME ROCK PARK: 100th Victory in Program History

Landmark achievement for sports car GT racing’s premier team



LAKEVILLE, Conn. (July 23, 2016) –Already sporting an unmatched collection of historic moments, Corvette Racing added another today by claiming its 100th race victory by winning Saturday’s Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park. Drivers Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner piloted their No. 4 Mobil 1/Sirius XM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R to the landmark triumph.



It is the third win of 2016 for Corvette Racing, which opened the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) season with back-to-back GT Le Mans (GTLM) victories in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.



Corvette Racing is the first team in IMSA history to score 100 event victories. The team’s first win came Sept. 2, 2000 at Texas Motor Speedway. Saturday’s victory also was the team’s 60th 1-2 class finish with Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen runners-up in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R



“Achieving 100 victories is a tremendous accomplishment for Corvette Racing,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “It’s a testament to the dedication of all the crew members, engineers, drivers and our engine team members over the past 17 years. We certainly couldn’t have achieved this milestone without the support of our partners at Pratt & Miller, Mobil 1 and Michelin. Everyone with Corvette Racing operates as one team and embodies the competitive spirit of Chevrolet. We’re happy to share this success with our passionate Corvette owners and supporters.”



The Corvette Racing team made its first start Jan. 31, 1999 at Daytona. Since that time, the program has claimed championships and victories on endurance racing’s most prominent stages:

· Ten manufacturer and team championships in the American Le Mans Series, plus nine driver titles

· Eight class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

· Three wins in the Rolex 24 including an overall victory in 2001

· Ten class wins at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring



Corvette Racing also claimed endurance racing’s Triple Crown in 2015 with wins at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans. It was the first team in 15 years to accomplish the feat.



The tally of Corvette Racing victories spans a number of different series. In addition to its record at Le Mans, Corvette Racing has nine wins in the WeatherTech (formerly TUDOR) SportsCar Championship, 82 in the American Le Mans Series (a record for entrants) and one in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.



No matter the series or continent, however, the aim of Corvette Racing has remained the same, according to Campbell. “Importantly, technical learnings gained from racing directly benefit our production Corvette and powertrains,” Campbell said.



Corvette Racing’s next event is the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase from Road America on Sunday, Aug. 7.

cor123

64vetteorig

Wow, glad you won. Highly disappointed once again IMSA and FOX came together to keep me from being able to view the race. On top of this the first scheduled rebroadcast by fox was NHRA drag racing, and then actual race recording which they finally are airing now started 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Awesome!


For me it was the first year I haven't gone to the local race in 15 years? I'm about done with IMSA and going to save towards spectating a European race. I had planned to go to VIR / Glen for first time this year but abruptly cancelled when bullcrap started.


Is Corvette thinking about changing to WEC due to the failures of BOP / poor officiating at times and non sustainability of a sport thats governing body blocks its home country from viewing it's sport and makes it impossible to spectate?

I'd really be nice if Pratt Miller just went in and beat the living do do out of the morons running this series.

F4Gary

It was on regular Fox TV.

Gotta thank the 912 Porsche too...

cor123

I lost the first 30 minutes trying to find it once I discovered that FS1 was showing golf. Finally found it on my Fox local channel. I watch the rerun today on FS1. If you missed it the race is now on youtube:
After the BoP screw up and favoritism towards Ford at the WEC FIA race at Le Mans I believe that they have IMSA beat so I don't see Corvette Racing going full time there.

TKOGTO

Agreed, tough day for BMW. #25 was running strong until the Demolition Derby #912 took out its 2nd Bimmer of the day.

I was standing beside the Downhill with about 30 minutes left with the Risi Ferrari ahead by about 5 seconds. My daughter just said she hoped for a yellow to close the gap. The next lap, Ollie was 5 seconds in front. Magic pixie dust from a 12yr old.

BrianCunningham

Thanks for posting the race

Couldn't make it

'Shifter

New wallpaper....