Corvette Racing has retained endurance drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Marcel Fassler for the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season.
Rockenfeller and Fassler joined Corvette Racing at the beginning of the 2016 season and served as co-drivers for the season-opening 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Fassler drove alongside Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin in the No. 4 Corvette C7.R, taking wins at both Daytona and Sebring, while Rockenfeller piloted the No. 3 C7.R alongside Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia.
“Both ‘Rocky’ and Marcel were valuable parts of our endurance program in IMSA last year,” said Chevrolet director of motorsports. “We are glad to welcome them back to Corvette Racing for the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.”
“Their experience, record of success and team-first mentality are ideal for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing as we attempt to repeat the 2016 victories in the two biggest endurance races in North America.”
Corvette Racing got in touch with both Rockenfeller and Fassler through a driver swap program with Audi Motorsports. The two automakers essentially swapped veteran racers, with Magnussen and Garcia driving for Audi team WRT in two Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup races in exchange for Fassler and Rockenfeller lending their services to Corvette Daytona and Sebring.
“We all have an appreciation for the business, the sport, and I think the thing that really drives it is that (Audi’s) [Dr.] Ulrich and I share a common goal in that we really care about the guys that drive these cars,” Corvette Racing team director Doug Fehan told Sportscar365 when asked about the driver swap earlier this year. “We know the struggle that they have in finding good rides, in finding good competition, in finding success, and the enjoyment that it brings to them.
Corvette Racing’s 2017 season will kick off with the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona in late January.
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