Corvette Racing is happy with the way its Roar Before the 24 test went earlier this month, in which the team was second fastest GTLM car, and is now looking forward to the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend.
Oliver Gavin, driver of the No. 4 Corvette C7.R, set the fastest GTLM time of the Roar Before the 24 weekend with a lap of 1:45.106 (121.934 mph). Gavin will share the car with Tommy Milner and Marcel Fassler when the Rolex 24 goes green this Saturday.
The No. 3 Corvette C7.R, meanwhile, was the fourth fastest GTLM car on track at the Roar with a time of 1:45.124 (121.913 mph) set by Antonio Garcia. He and Jan Magnussen will be looking to defend their Rolex 24 title this year after winning the race last year and will be joined by Corvette Racing newcomer Mike Rockenfeller.
Garcia said the Roar Before the 24 test was surprisingly productive in terms of testing and getting used to the new-for-2016 C7.R, which should set them up good come race time.
“We always want more track time. But this weekend was very good,” Garcia said. “The weather gave us a chance to carry on with some things that may help us in the race. It has been a very productive Roar, which is unusual. You tend to lose a lot of time to things like red flags and weather. We have worked through a lot of things that need to be analyzed in order for us to be quicker for the race.” We have a good baseline and I’m sure the Corvette engineers will make the right decisions to put us in an even better position for the Rolex 24.”
Doug Fehan, program manager for Corvette Racing, said that while the Roar Before the 24 test helped them immensely, it also made it obvious just how much of a challenge this year’s race will present for yellow ‘Vettes.
“I’m confident saying that based on the last three days, this will be the toughest Rolex 24 we will face but everyone at Corvette Racing is looking forward to that challenge,” he said.
The 54th Rolex 24 at Daytona will go green at 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, January 30th. For scheduling and broadcast information, visit IMSA’s Rolex 24 dedicated page at this link.
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