5 Corvette Program Managers and Their Creations
Here are some of the more amazing creations we've seen from Corvette program managers over the years.
1. Doug Fehan
Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan has been instrumental in the Corvette's return to professional road racing. He brought the Corvette back to the track in 2000 with the C5-R and later the C6.R, and the Corvette has racked up a number of road racing wins ever since. In 2014, we saw the birth of the latest Corvette racer - the C7.R. Chevy's new corner carver racked up four wins in its debut season, scoring its first 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 2015.
2. Russ McLean
Russ McLean might be the most unheralded guy in Corvette history. Why do you ask? Because he essentially saved the Corvette from going extinct in the 1990's. McLean was told to let the unprofitable sports car die after the C4 had run its course. But he refused to do so, instead of making the changes necessary to improve quality and reduce costs. That led to a turnaround in profit as well as a much improved C5 Corvette.
3. David Hill
David Hill took over the development of the C5 Corvette from Dave McClellan in a time when the survival of the car was in serious doubt. Then he followed up on the success of that generation with the C6. His crowning achievement, however, might be the C6 Z06 - a resurrection of one truly legendary RPO that lived up to the name and more.
4. Jordan Lee
Jordan Lee, General Motors’ Global Chief Engineer and Program Manager for Small Block Engines, isn't a Corvette program manager. Nor is he even a project manager for entire cars. So why the heck would he be on our list? Because Lee has direct responsibility for the Corvette's current and future powerplants. And though he didn't invent the Chevy small block, Lee has been responsible for everyone that has gone into a Corvette since 2010.
5. Jim Lutz
Since the Corvette Daytona Prototype program debuted in 2012, it has enjoyed unprecedented success. In just their first four seasons, Corvettes won an incredible 30 of 46 races, quite simply dominating the competition. Much of that success can be attributed to Jim Lutz, Chevrolet's Program Manager for the Corvette Daytona Prototype. While other racing teams take years to taste success in Daytona Prototype racing, Lutz's involvement has led to instant and sustained gratification.
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