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2011 Corvette Racing Season

After a poor performance in the 2010 season of the American Le Mans Series, Corvette Racing were looking to make a return to consistent podium finishes and adding another ALMS title to their résumé. For the 2011 season the organizers had made changes to the GT class. This included the introduction of paddle operated shifters and adaptations to the aero package, which overall made the GT class faster. The new paddle shifters were not mandatory but allowed for much faster and accurate gear changes with the added benefit of lower wear and tear on the drivetrain. A lot of the big manufacturers immediately took advantage of the rule changes including Corvette Racing. Pratt & Miller would build two brand new chassis in C6GT-003 and C6GT-004 to ensure the previous season would be just a small blemish on their long record of success.

The 2011 C6.R would include the new paddle operated Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission, which Pratt & Miller started testing in late 2010. The testing allowed Pratt & Miller to program the electronics to allow for spark and fuel cut along with accurate speed matching downshifting. Along with the new transmission Pratt & Miller adapted the aero package of the 2011 car to take advantage of the new rules. This included a redesigned rear diffuser with a steeper angle that allowed for a stronger use of the Bernoulli effect forcing the high pressure air to increase in speed towards the low pressure air. To aide more airflow to the rear diffuser the rear bodywork of the 2011 C6.R saw a redesign with new cut outs behind the rear wheels similar to the ones found on the front fenders. The new aero design overall created cleaner air flow under the car, which increased rear grip and stability. 

More adaptations to the 2011 C6.R included the mandatory air conditioning unit, which saw an increase in effectiveness and efficiency. With a cost of only three horsepower the compressor of the A/C unit was powered by a jackshaft from the transaxle. The 2011 ALMS regulations changed to required ever car to be equipped with a mandatory roof camera. Overall the laptimes of the 2011 C6.R verses the 2010 C6.R were very similar. Where the regulation changes really made a difference to the GT class was better reliability and stability. This made the 2011 C6.R more predictable and easier to drive over a long distance.

The 2011 ALMS GT class featured a large roster including some new competition such as the replacement of the dated Ferrari F430, with the new Ferrari 458 Italia. Team JaguarRSR joined the series with duo of Jaguar XKRs and West Yokohama Racing competed in the series with a pair of Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4s. Last years GT class champions BMW Team RLL returned with two BMW M3 E92 GTs and multiple teams entered the trusted Porsche 997 GT3 RSR. Robertson Racing were back with a new version of their Ford GT-R known as the Mk. VII featuring an Élan 5.0L V8. In total the GT class would include 10 teams throughout the course of the full season, with additional GT teams entering in special events like Sebring and the Petit Le Mans.

The 2011 season started well for Corvette Racing with the #3 car driven by Olivier Berretta, Antonio Garcia and new driver Tommy Milner accomplishing third in class at the Twelve Hours of Sebring. At round two of the 2011 ALMS season at Long Beach the #4 car took second in class, driven by Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen. The third race of the season for Corvette Racing was at the infamous Le Mans 24 Hours. After both cars suffered engine failure at Le Mans the previous year, Corvette Racing were looking to redeem themselves. Unfortunately the #74 C6.R of Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen and Richard Westbrook was involved in an accident on their 211th lap taking them out of the race. The #73 car was left with the task to try bring home the GTE Pro victory. The #73 C6.R chased down the class-leading #51 Ferrari 458 Italia, whilst cutting the margin by over a second per lap. With only two hours and 10 minutes remaining in the race Tommy Milner passed the #51 Ferrari of Toni Vilander and gradually increased a lead. Driving duties was switched leaving Antonio Garcia the honors of bringing home the #73 Corvette to the GTE Pro class victory. Pratt & Miller certainly reinstating the dominance of the Corvette brand at Le Mans with the 2011 victory adding to a total of seven class wins at the prestigious event.

Throughout the 2011 ALMS season, Corvette Racing were able to pick up another class victory at Mosport with Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen in the #4 C6.R but the team were only able to accomplish two more podiums for the season. Corvette Racing accomplished a total of six podiums throughout the 2011 season. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough for the team to take the ALMS title honours as Corvette Racing finished runner-up in the GT Manufacturers Championship behind BMW Team RLL. Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen would finish second in the GT Drivers Championship standings behind Joey Hand and Dirk Müller of BMW Team RLL.

The results of the 2011 season was a huge improvement over the previous season. The evolution of the C6.R helped the team to be more competitive and taking the class win at Le Mans was a massive accomplishment. The team were able to head into the 2012 season with confidence they had the car and drivers to take the ALMS title.


2011 Corvette Racing Schedule & Results

2011 Season Overview
Race Race Date Race Distance (time) Track Car Number Class Position Overall Position Start Position Drivers Laps Completed Fastest Lap Series Class
59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida March 19 2011 12 Hours Sebring International Raceway 3 3 13 9 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner / Antonio Garcia 312 2:02.340 American Le Mans Series GT
59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida March 19 2011 12 Hours Sebring International Raceway 4 4 14 2 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen / Richard Westbrook 311 2:02.006 American Le Mans Series GT
Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach April 16 2011 2 Hours Long Beach Street Circuit 4 2 6 2 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen 81 1:20.552 American Le Mans Series GT
Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach April 16 2011 2 Hours Long Beach Street Circuit 3 5 10 9 Tommy Milner / Olivier Berretta 80 1:20.773 American Le Mans Series GT
24 Heures du Mans June 11 – 12 2011 24 Hours Circuit de la Sarthe 73 1 11 6 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner / Antonio Garcia 314 4:00.553 ACO GTE Pro
24 Heures du Mans June 11 – 12 2011 24 Hours Circuit de la Sarthe 74 DNF, Accident DNF, Accident 4 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen / Richard Westbrook 211 3:59.815 ACO GTE Pro
American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix Lime Rock July 9 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Lime Rock Park 3 9 21 5 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner 161 52.345 American Le Mans Series GT
American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix Lime Rock July 9 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Lime Rock Park 4 10 23 4 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen 161 52.323 American Le Mans Series GT
Mobil 1 presents Grand Prix of Mosport July 24 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Mosport International Raceway 4 1 8 6 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen 121 1:18.368 American Le Mans Series GT
Mobil 1 presents Grand Prix of Mosport July 24 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Mosport International Raceway 3 6 14 8 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner 119 1:18.534 American Le Mans Series GT
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge August 6 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 4 2 7 5 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen 92 1:21.767 American Le Mans Series GT
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge August 6 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 3 6 11 8 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner 92 1:22.040 American Le Mans Series GT
Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase Road America August 20 2011 4 Hours Road America 4 5 14 2 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen / Richard Westbrook 101 2:06.995 American Le Mans Series GT
Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase Road America August 20 2011 4 Hours Road America 3 14, Accident 32, Accident 6 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner 77 2:07.283 American Le Mans Series GT
2 Hours and 45 Minutes of Baltimore September 3 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Baltimore temporary street course 4 3 9 2 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen 70 1:33.089 American Le Mans Series GT
2 Hours and 45 Minutes of Baltimore September 3 2011 2 Hours 45 Minutes Baltimore temporary street course 3 7 14 4 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner 70 1:33.507 American Le Mans Series GT
ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey Presented by Patrón September 17 2011 6 Hours Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 4 5 15 2 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen 236 1:24.069 American Le Mans Series GT
ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey Presented by Patrón September 17 2011 6 Hours Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 3 7 18 8 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner 235 1:24.513 American Le Mans Series GT
Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda October 2 2011 1000 Miles or 10 Hours Road Atlanta 4 4 14 7 Oliver Gavin / Jan Magnussen / Richard Westbrook 366 1:20.250 American Le Mans Series GT
Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda October 2 2011 1000 Miles or 10 Hours Road Atlanta 3 17, Transmission Failure 49, Transmission Failure 8 Olivier Berretta / Tommy Milner / Antonio Garcia 76 1:21.024 American Le Mans Series GT

# 3 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R Drivers 2011 (#73 used for Le Mans)

Olivier Berretta

2011 would mark the eighth year for Olivier Berretta as a Corvette Racing factory driver. This would also be his final year with team as he would be replaced in 2012 by Antonio Garcia for a full time seat. Berretta along with his former teammate Oliver Gavin accomplished three back to back ALMS Driver Championships between 2005 and 2007. It was decided late in the 2010 season to mix up the driver pairings and Berretta joined the #3 crew.

Beretta began his racing career in the 1989 French Formula 3 series. The following year he would finish third in the championship and accomplished a podium at the Monaco Grand Prix support race. Berretta started test driving for the Larrousse Grand Prix team in 1994 and would compete in 10 grand prix, where he finished three times in the top 10, with a career-best seventh in the German Grand Prix.

In 1996 Berretta became involved in the development of the Chrysler Viper of Team Oreca. He would finish third in the FIA GT drivers championship the following year. Beretta would win the 1998 FIA GT drivers championship with teammate Pedro Lamy, where they accomplished eight wins out of 10 races.

In 1999, Berretta would win the FIA GT Championship, the ALMS GTS class championship and the Le Mans 24 hours GTS class, scoring 13 of the 16 race wins for Team Oreca. The following year in 1999 Berretta would win the Rolex 24 at Daytona overall, a class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a class win at Le Mans and a ALMS class championship.

Once joining Corvette Racing in 2004, Berretta scored five victories, including class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans.

After leaving Corvette Racing, Berretta became a factory Ferrari driver for various privateer Ferrari customers.

Vitals

  • Birthdate: November 23rd, 1969
  • Birthplace: Monte Carlo, Monaco
  • Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
  • Family: Son Riccardo
  • Corvette Racing: 2004-2011

Notable Career Highlights

  • Drove for Larrousse Formula 1 team – 1994
  • FIA GT2 Champion – 1998, 1999
  • Overall winner of the 2000 Rolex 24 at Daytona
  • ALMS Drivers Champion – 1999, 2000 (GTS), 2005, 2006, 2007 (GT1)
  • 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner – 1999, 2000, 2004 (GTS), 2005, 2006 (GT1)

Tommy Milner 

A second-generation racer, Milner is son of noted team owner Tom Milner. Tommy Milner’s passion for racing started at a young age watching his fathers race team. Following success in go-karts Milner was chosen as one of the six North American drivers in Formula BMW USA junior drivers program in 2004. Later in the same year Milner made his sports car racing debut in the Grand-Am series with his father’s team, which paired him with former Corvette Racing driver Kelly Collins.

In 2006 Tommy Milner joined the American Le Mans Series driving for the Panoz Team PTG program in the GT2 class. In 2009 Milner became a full time driver with Rahal-Letterman to drive the new BMW M3 E92 GT where he accomplished three runner-up finishes and again the following season before joining Corvette Racing.

Milner’s debut season with Corvette Racing started very strong with a GT class podium finish in his first race for the team at Sebring and then he collected the GTE Pro class win at the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours. Tommy was integral to the victory at Le Mans as he chased down the class leading Ferrari of Toni Vilander in final hours of the race to eventually pass for the lead with only two hours remaining.

Since joining the team in 2011, Milner has won Le Mans twice, claimed two Drivers Championships and taken victories at Daytona and Sebring. Milner has competed in Formula and sports car series with distinction for factory-affiliated teams such as BMW and Chevrolet. His partnership with Oliver Gavin covered nine years making them the longest-running teammates in IMSA up to date.

Vitals

  • Birthdate: January 26th, 1986
  • Birthplace: Washington D.C.
  • Residence: Ashton, Virginia
  • Family: Wife Lauren
  • Corvette Racing: 2011 – Present

Notable Career Highlights

  • Two-time class Driver’s Champion – 2012 (ALMS GT), 2016 (IMSA WeatherTech GTLM)
  • Two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner – 2011 and 2015 (GTE Pro)
  • Two-time 12 Hours of Sebring class winner – 2013 (GT) and 2016 (GTLM)
  • Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona class winner – 2016 (GTLM)

Antonio Garcia (Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans

Garcia began his third year with Corvette Racing in 2011 in the third driver role for endurance events. This would be the final year for Garcia in the part time position as he would replace Olivier Berretta in 2012 for a full time seat.

Garcia made his Corvette Racing debut in 2009 as the third driver for the three endurances races the team entered that season. Garcia immediately impressed by helping the team take the class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Garcia would help teammates Tommy Milner and Olivier Berretta secure the GTE Pro class win at the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours. After a long battle, Milner would pass the class leading Ferrari with only two hours remaining in the race. After switching drivers for the final stint of the race Garcia was given the honors of bringing the #73 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R home to cross the finish line as the class winners.

Garcia is regarded as one of the best GT drivers in the world. He has claimed multiple victories at the biggest endurance races in world such as Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona. Garcia won back-to-back IMSA titles in 2017 and 2018 and has never finished lower than third in points dating back to his first full season with Corvette Racing in 2012.

Vitals

  • Birthdate: June 5th, 1980
  • Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
  • Residence: Barcelona, Spain
  • Family: wife and two children
  • Corvette Racing: 2009 – Present

Notable Career Highlights

  • 2013 ALMS GT Champion
  • 2017 and 2018 IMSA GTLM WeatherTech Champion
  • 24 Hours of Le Mans winner – 2008-09 (GT1), 2011 (GTE Pro)
  • Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona winner – 2009 (overall), 2015 (GTLM)
  • Sebring 12 Hours winner – 2009 (GT1), 2015 (GTLM), 2017 (GTLM)

 

#4 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R Drivers 2011 (#74 used for Le Mans)

Oliver Gavin

Oliver Gavin had established himself as a veteran driver with Corvette Racing and began his ninth year with the team in 2011. After a disappointing season in 2010, Gavin was looking to get Corvette Racing and the #4 team back on the top step of the podium.

The changes to the 2011 regulations allowed Pratt & Miller to make the C6.R more competitive. Gavin with his teammate Jan Magnussen were able to accomplish four GT class podium finishes including a win at Mosport. Despite a good fight with the BMW Team RLL, Gavin and Magnussen would finish as runners up in the 2011 ALMS GT Drivers Championship. This result would also put Corvette Racing in second place for 2011 ALMS Manufacturers Championship.

Oliver Gavin would become the most successful and longest-serving driver in Corvette Racing history. With 51 victories and five championships as part of the program, Gavin would rank as one of the most accomplished drivers in IMSA history. His Corvette Racing record included wins at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona and Petit Le Mans. Gavin would win two championships with co-driver Tommy Milner (2012 and 2016) and would become the longest-running driver pairing in IMSA history at the time of the start of the 2020 season.

Vitals

  • Birthdate: September 29th, 1972
  • Birthplace: Huntington, England
  • Residence: Yardley Hastings, England
  • Family: Wife Helen; children Lily, Isaac, Fergus
  • Corvette Racing: 2002-2020

Notable Career Highlights

  • 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTLM Champion
  • Four-time ALMS champion – 2005-07 (GTS/GT1), 2012 (GT)
  • Five class wins in 24 Hours of Le Mans – 2002, 2004-06 (GTS/GT1), 2015 (GTLM Pro)
  • Six class wins at 12 Hours of Sebring – 2001-02 (GTS), 2006-07 (GT1), 2013 (GT), 2016 (GTLM)
  • Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona winner – 2016 (GTLM)

Jan Magnussen

Image used with authorization from Richard Prince

The 2011 season would mark the sixth for Jan Magnussen with Corvette Racing. After a late decision in 2010 by Corvette Racing program manager; Doug Fehan, Magnussen would remain paired with Oliver Gavin for the full 2011 season. The duo of Gavin and Magnussen would have far more success than the previous year putting the #4 C6.R on the GT podium four times. With a win at the fourth round of the ALMS season at Mosport, Magnussen and his teammate Gavin would finish as runners up in the 2011 ALMS GT Drivers Championship.

Magnussen started his racing career in 1990 racing single-seaters. In 1994 Magnussen won the British Formula 3 Championship with Paul Stewart Racing breaking Ayrton Senna’s record of most wins in a single season, capturing 14 wins out of 18 races.

Magnussen would become a Formula 1 test driver for McLaren before competing in DTM and International Touring Car Championship between 1995 and 1996, where he finished second in the 1996 ITC Championship. Magnussen would become a full time Formula 1 driver for the Stewart Grand Prix team in 1997, where he would accomplish a career best sixth place finish at the Montreal Grand Prix in 1998.

Magnussen joined Panoz Motorsports in 1999 to compete in the ALMS where he captured six wins. He would become part of the Corvette- Ferrari rivalry in 2003, driving the Prodrive Ferrari and would join Corvette Racing the following year.

A legend in Denmark, his aggressive racing style and take-no-prisoners mentality made him very popular with the fans. Magnussen became a full time driver with Corvette Racing in 2007 and throughout his time with the team he accomplished 35 wins. In 2008 Magnussen became the ALMS GT1 Driver Champion with teammate Johnny O’connell and would win the IMSA GT Drivers Championship with Antonio Garcia in 2013.

Vitals

  • Birthdate: July 4th, 1973
  • Birthplace: Roskilde, Denmark
  • Residence: Roskilde, Denmark
  • Family: Wife Christina, sons Kevin and Luca, daughter Millie
  • Corvette Racing: 2004-2019

Notable Career Highlights

  • Two time ALMS Driver Champion – 2008 (GT1), 2013 (GT)
  • Two time IMSA WeatherTech GTLM Champion – 2017, 2018
  • Four time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner – 2004 (GTS), 2005, 2006, 2009 (GT1)
  • Rolex 24 at Daytona GTLM class winner – 2015
  • Five time 12 Hours of Sebring class winner – 2006, 2008, 2009 (GT1), 2015, 2017 (GTLM)
  • ALMS “Most Popular Driver” – 2001, 2003, 2011, 2013

Richard Westbrook (Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans)

Richard Westbrook made his Corvette Racing debut in 2011 in the role as the third driver for the endurance events. He would help Jan Magnussen and fellow Brit Oliver Gavin at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Petit Le Mans.

Westbrook become a back to back Porsche Supercup champion in 2006 and 2007. He would go onto to take a ALMS GT2 win at Road America in 2008, and quickly established himself as a elite international sports car driver after winning the FIA GT2 championship in 2009. In 2010 Richard Westbrook accomplished a GT2 class third place finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and third overall finish at the  Rolex 24 at Daytona. Westbrook has competed in the FIA GT1 championship along with Spa and Nurburgring endurance events.

Vitals

  • Birthdate: July 19th, 1975
  • Birthplace: Chelmsford, England
  • Residence: London, England
  • Family: Wife Jessica, daughter Amelia
  • Corvette Racing: 2011-2014

Notable Career Highlights

  • Porsche Carrera Cup GBR Champion – 2004, 2005
  • Porsche Supercup Champion – 2006, 2007
  • Nominated for Autosport International Driver of the Year Award 2006
  • FIA GT2 Champion – 2009
  • Twelve Hours of Sebring GT class winner – 2013

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