Pratt & Miller 2005 Corvette Yearbook

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:29 PM

Page 1

D E S I G N

2

•

0

D E V E L O P

0

5

C

•

H

B U I L D

•

R A C E

A

I

O

M

P

N

•

S

W I N

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:29 PM

Page 2

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS General Motors Chevrolet Corvette Compuware Mobil 1 Motorola XM Satellite Radio GMAC Michelin AER Corsa Exhaust Paul Reed Smith Guitars Bose K&N Filters and thanks also to

Katech O-Z Wheels Carlisle Productions Eaton Fabricating KFC Composites Lightnen’s Customs

2

You make it all happen!

THE PRODUCTION TEAM Robin Pratt editor Richard Prince production coordinator John Machaqueiro art direction, design Dan Kelly Colortech Graphics, Inc. printing Alleyne Kelly proofreading

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS Rick Dole Dave Friedman Gregory P Johnson John Machaqueiro Darren Maybury Robert Mochernuk Robin Pratt Richard Prince Steve Robertson Ray Smith Denis Tanney John Thawley Copyright © 2006 Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, Inc. 29600 William K Smith Dr. New Hudson, MI 48165 Phone: 248-446-9800 Fax: 248-446-9020 www.prattmiller.com

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:29 PM

Page 3

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

THE BEST OF THE BEST

Contents

It’s rare when all of the different factors necessary for a race team to succeed at the highest levels of the sport come together. It’s even more unusual when a team is able to sustain the momentum to continue succeeding at the highest levels year after year, but that is exactly what we are accomplishing right now.

The Best of the Best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 LE MANS: New Corvette C6.R Wins Le Mans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SEBRING: A True Test of Team Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ROAD ATLANTA: The Win Streak Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 MID-OHIO: Reigning Champs do it Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

At Sebring we faced an old adversary with potent new cars and encountered some incredibly bad luck. But we’ve been at this long enough to know that luck – good and bad – is always part of the equation. We didn’t win but we didn’t give up in circumstances when many others would have, and that speaks volumes about the character of each and every one of you.

LIME ROCK: Corvettes Finish 1-2 on the 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Jim Miller

INFINEON: Corvette Makes it Five in a Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 PORTLAND: Corvettes Sweep GT1 Podium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 ROAD AMERICA: Pratt & Miller Clinches the Manufacturers Title . . . 28 MOSPORT: Corvette Continues to Dominate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

After Sebring we won every remaining race of the season. At Le Mans we beat the strongest field of GT1 competitors we’ve ever faced. In ALMS we settled the score with Aston Martin and then some, and held off other competitors even when they were given a boost by rules adjustments.

ROAD ATLANTA: Clash of the Titans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 LAGUNA SECA: Gavin and Beretta Win the Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 2005 ALMS Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Team Personals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Though it is indeed a magnificent machine, the C6.R did not do any of this.

Cars don’t win championships, people do. You are the people behind Corvette Racing, the individuals who design, develop, build, race, and win, and this year you once again swept the top two spots at Le Mans and won every available ALMS championship. The future is never certain, especially in racing, but right now you are clearly the best GT1 team in the world and we are extremely proud of everyone who makes this remarkable achievement possible. This book is dedicated to each one of you and is a celebration of everything you have accomplished during the past year.

Gary Pratt

— Jim Miller and Gary Pratt 3

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:29 PM

Page 4

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

LE MANS: NEW CORVETTE C6.R WINS LE MANS CORVETTE RACING RECORDS ITS FOURTH 1-2 FINISH IN FRENCH CLASSIC

24 HOURS OF LE MANS Circuit de la Sarthe Le Mans, France June 18-19, 2005 QUALIFYING: 3rd GT1: Oliver Gavin, #64 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 3m52.426s (131.372 mph) 5th GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #63 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 3m55.914s (129.429 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (5th overall): #64 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 349 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Jan Magnussen 2nd GT1 (6th overall): #63 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 347 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Max Papis

4

Pratt & Miller and Corvette Racing made history at Le Mans this year, scoring its fourth 1-2 finish in the GT1 class in five years with the new Corvette C6.R. Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen reprised their victory in last year's 24-hour endurance race, and were again joined on the podium by teammates Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell and Max Papis.

The team celebrated Corvette's 45th anniversary at Le Mans in style, finishing fifth and sixth overall. Pratt & Miller turned back the challenge of the Aston Martin team in a hard-fought battle that often saw all four cars on the same lap. In scorching heat, the twin yellow Corvettes completed 349 and 347 laps respectively, scoring the 38th win for Corvette Racing in international road racing and the team's 25th 1-2 finish.

After trailing its rivals through the night, the 19th hour proved to be the turning point for the Pratt & Miller team. The # 64

Compuware Corvette C6.R driven by Gavin, Beretta and Magnussen took the point when the leading Aston Martin pitted for repairs. The Corvette kept relentless pressure on its pursuers, running 3-minute, 55-second laps in withering 97-degree heat. The Corvette victory was sealed when both Aston Martins encountered problems in the 23rd hour, "I pushed hard, it was like qualifying every lap," said Magnussen, who drove a stunning double stint at the crucial time. "I was trying to stay out of trouble, be consistent and work the traffic. It paid off and we wore out the competition. I enjoyed every minute of it because I could see that we could open up the gap. It's the best we could hope for.

"This is a fantastic result for the first time we've run the C6.R at Le Mans," Gavin declared after he forced the pace in the closing hours in his own double stint. "The Corvette Racing team just never, ever gives up. The team told me that we needed a certain lap time to cont. on page 10

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:29 PM

Page 5

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 6

P R A T T

6

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 7

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 8

P R APTRT A T&T

8

& G G2 0 20 0 5 0 5 M IML I LL EL RE R E ENNGG I N N EE EERRI N I N

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 9

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

9

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 10

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

make sure they would never catch us. We achieved the lap time we needed, and they broke. I take my hat off to Aston Martin, but nobody beats Corvette Racing. I'm just delighted to be part of the team and driving with brilliant teammates like Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen. "Gary Pratt and Doug Fehan are the masterminds behind the team's successful assault on the world's most famous endurance race.

"Each time you come here, you think it can't possibly get any better, "Fehan noted. "Last year after our 1-2 finish, I left thinking there was no way to top this, but this year did. We didn't turn a wheel wrong, we didn't hit anything, we didn't break anything. That comes from the experience and continuity of being here year in and year out. I'm looking forward to coming back next year.

"Forty-five years ago, Corvette first came to Le Mans with the Briggs Cunningham team with the support of Corvette legend Zora Arkus-Duntov. Today's result was another chapter in Corvette's rich racing history. "There should be no doubt that Corvette has arrived at

10

2 0 0 5

world-class status," said Corvette chief engineer Dave Hill. "The success that we've had racing at Le Mans, linked with the capabilities of production models like the new Z06, makes us feel that this is the finest time in Corvette's history. This team has shown courage to take on strong adversaries over the years, from Viper and Ferrari to Aston Martin. I've had the honor to be here at Le Mans for six years, and this is the best one yet.

"This was a great moment for Chevrolet in an epic race," noted Brent Dewar, GM North America vice president of marketing and advertising."Chevrolet's racing DNA comes directly from its founder, Louis Chevrolet. With Corvette as the lead product for the global Chevrolet brand, winning Le Mans is huge for us. Corvette is competitive against the best sports cars in the world. It's not just about speed; it's about technology and durability and endurance. I think Louis Chevrolet and Zora Arkus-Duntov would be proud today."

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 11

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

11

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 12

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

SEBRING: A TRUE TEST OF TEAM SPIRIT NEW CORVETTES SECOND AND THIRD IN COMPETITION DEBUT

ALMS, ROUND 1 MOBIL 1 12 HOURS OF SEBRING Sebring International Raceway Sebring, Florida March 19, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:57:347 (113.796 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:57.686 (113.686 mph)

RACE: 2nd GT1 (5th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 337 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Max Papis 3th GT1 (6th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 323 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Jan Magnussen

12

Sebring ranks as one of the most difficult races anywhere, demanding the utmost from drivers, cars and teams. The new C6.R began the 2005 season at Sebring facing old and new challenges. In addition to returning competitors such as Ferrari, Viper and Saleen, Corvette Racing’s untested C6.Rs faced stiff competition from historic marques like Aston Martin and Maserati.

From the drop of the green flag the new Corvettes showed their quickness. Both C6.Rs paced the GT1 field through eight hours of the race, setting some of the fastest laps in class. A significant accomplishment when one considers that the C6.R went from devel-

opment to race trim in less than three months.

Doug Fehan always points out that luck is an essential component in racing and this year luck was not on the team’s side at Sebring. As the race neared its ninth hour, O’Connell had just taken over from Fellows and was piloting the # 3 Corvette down the back straight at 170 mph when the left front brake rotor exploded. “I was spotting for the car and saw the incident,” said crew chief Dan Binks. “I told Johnny to get it going and bring it into the pits to see what had to be done. We changed both front brake rotors and calipers, taped up the right side bodywork, and returned to the track.”

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 13

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

13

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 14

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

Shortly after O’Connell’s brake problem, the # 4 Corvette also experienced difficulty. Crew chief Ray Gongla described the incident: “As Olivier was setting up for entry into turn 7 a Porsche GT2 car lost control and spun out in front of him.” Contact resulted and Beretta brought the car into the pits. “It was heavily damaged,” Gongla said.

“We had to replace the right-rear suspension, as well as the right-rear fender and diffuser. We also had to repair the right door and rocker panel, but we got the job done and were back on track.” Despite their setbacks, both teams continued to press the competition.

At the checkered flag, Corvette Racing took second and third in class and 5th and 6th places overall. "It was not the finish we wanted," said Jim Miller, but considering the adversity we faced it was an extraordinary result and a testament to the skill and determination of this entire team."

14

7108 Vette

2/28/06

2:30 PM

Page 15

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

15

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:25 AM

Page 16

P R A T T

16

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 17

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

17

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 18

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

ROAD ATLANTA: THE WIN STREAK BEGINS

ALMS, ROUND 2 SPORTSBOOK.COM GRAND PRIX OF ATLANTA Road Atlanta Braselton, Georgia April 17, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m17.034s (118.701 mph) 2nd GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m17.323s (118.257 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (5th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 108 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell 2nd GT1 (6th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 107 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta

18

If anyone doubted the efficacy of a home field advantage Johnny O’Connell proved them wrong at Road Atlanta in April. He won pole position and, along with Ron Fellows, led from flag-to-flag to record the new Corvette C6.R’s first victory. This accomplishment was all the more satisfying for O’Connell and Fellows because it was their 22nd ALMS victory, tying the series record for career wins.

"Ron and I were able to get the last win in the C5-R, and to get the first win with the C6.R at my home track is very special," said O’Connell. "I knew in qualifying that this was the best car I’ve driven since I joined Corvette Racing. Ron and I did what we always do, which is push as hard as we can and stay out of trouble."

In another impressive showing, Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta overcame adversity and brought the # 4 Compuware Corvette back from fifth in class at mid-race to secure a 1-2 finish for the Pratt & Miller team.

Just past the halfway point Gavin spun off course, dropping the # 4 Corvette from second to fifth in class. Down a few spots but far from out Gavin pitted for tires and fuel. He then proceeded to methodically track down and overtake competitors who had benefited from his misfortune. “I had to pass the Saleen and pass the Maserati, and they were very strong,” Gavin said. But they were not strong enough. Gavin got past the Saleen and, with only 12 minutes remaining, he overtook the Maserati in turn 10 to lock up the second spot on the podium.

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 19

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

19

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 20

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

MID-OHIO: REIGNING CHAMPS DO IT AGAIN FELLOWS AND O’CONNELL TAKE EMOTIONAL WIN AT MID-OHIO

ALMS, ROUND 3 MID-OHIO Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio May 22, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:18.033s (104.171 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:18.131s (104.041 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (5th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 112 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell 2nd GT1 (6th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 112 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta

20

Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell scored their second consecutive victory at rainy Mid-Ohio even though their Corvette crossed the finish line behind the car of their teammates Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta. This unusual result came about because a 20-second penalty levied on the leading #4 C6.R for a pit lane violation elevated #3 to the top step of the podium. It was the 23rd ALMS victory for Fellows and O’Connell, setting the series record for career wins, and the 24th 1-2 finish for Corvette Racing. Though obviously disappointing for Gavin and Beretta, they took the misfortune in stride and were genuinely pleased to see another GT1 sweep for Corvette. Besides being grateful for the twist of fate in the pits, Johnny was very thank-

ful to have escaped unscathed when three cars tangled right in front of him in turn 11. Fellows also considered himself very fortunate because he had to drive the final stint in heavy rain on slicks. Every win is emotional but this one was especially so for the #3 car team because Fellows and Mike West both lost their fathers in accidents shortly before coming to Mid-Ohio.

"It's been tough emotionally the last couple of weeks," reflected Fellows. "This race is dedicated to the memory of my Dad and Mike's father. It looks like we had a little help from above."

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 21

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

21

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 22

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

LIME ROCK: CORVETTES FINISH 1-2 ON THE 4th GAVIN AND BERETTA SCORE THEIR SECOND WIN OF THE YEAR

ALMS, ROUND 4 NEW ENGLAND GRAND PRIX Lime Rock Park Lakeville, Connecticut July 4, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 0m50.170s (110.504 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 0m50.506s (109.769 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (3rd overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 159 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (4th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 157 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell

22

Olivier Beretta earned his 15th ALMS pole position at Lime Rock, setting the series’ all-time record. He and Oliver Gavin went on to record the GT1 win and finish an impressive 3rd overall behind two LMP1 cars. Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell managed to finish second in class and were very grateful for that considering the bad luck they experienced. An impatient LMP1 driver forced Fellows off the road in turn 7 and with nowhere else to go he went into the tire barrier hard. Down but definitely not defeated, he limped back to the

pits, where his crew taped and patched the battered bodywork back together. When O’Connell wheeled the beat up looking but still blazingly fast Corvette out on track he was 5th in GT1. He made up considerable ground during the following hour and with help from a strategic pit stop #3 managed to catch and then pass three competitors to take the second spot in GT1. They held on until the end, giving Corvette Racing its fourth straight 1-2 finish.

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 23

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

23

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 24

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

INFINEON: CORVETTE MAKES IT FIVE IN A ROW FELLOWS AND O’CONNELL SET ALMS VICTORY MARK WITH WIN AT INFINEON

ALMS ROUND 5 GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA Infineon Raceway Sonoma, California July 17, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Ron Fellows, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m28.528s (102.883 mph) 2nd GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m28.607s (102.791 mph) RACE: 1st GT1: (7th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 104 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell 2nd GT1: (8th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 104 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta

24

Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell uncorked another stirring performance in California's wine country on the way to victory at Infineon Raceway. They finished .455 seconds ahead of Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta, setting the ALMS record for most victories with their 24th win in the series. While Fellows and O’Connell had a relatively uneventful run from pole position to the checkered flag, their teammates in the #4 Corvette had more than their fair share of adversity. The first bit of bad luck came early when Gavin had to pit

with a punctured tire. When Beretta took over he had to drive without any radio contact with the team. Though no contact was made he later lost some precious time to two spins that enabled the Saleen S7R to move ahead. In his final stint, Gavin chased down the Saleen and vaulted past it into second place with 25 minutes remaining in the contest. He remained there through the end, giving Pratt & Miller and Corvette Racing its fifth consecutive 1-2 finish.

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 25

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

25

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 26

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

PORTLAND: CORVETTES SWEEP GT1 PODIUM GAVIN AND BERETTA LEAD HISTORIC 1-2-3 CORVETTE FINISH

ALMS ROUND 6 PORTLAND GRAND PRIX Portland International Raceway Portland, Oregon July 30, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m08.193s (103.682 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m10.371s (103.412 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (5th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 131 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (6th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 131 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell

26

Competition adjustments implemented by IMSA closed the performance gap that separated Corvette Racing from its GT1 rivals but in the end Pratt & Miller built Corvettes occupied all three spots on the podium. Olivier Beretta won pole, but taking full advantage of its new found performance, the Saleen jumped ahead at the start and lead for the first 34 minutes of the race. Beretta kept intense pressure on his rival however and when the Saleen driver made his first small mistake Beretta seized the opportunity to reclaim the lead.

Even after getting hit hard by a spinning LMP1 Audi while entering the chicane he managed to hold onto the GT1 lead. Despite the steering being a bit out of whack after the impact the car was still good enough to stay ahead for the victory. Car #3 crossed the line just .623 seconds later to claim a well earned second and Pacific Coast Motorsport’s privately entered C5-R completed the Corvette sweep with an impressive 3rd place performance.

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 27

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

27

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 28

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

ROAD AMERICA: PRATT & MILLER CLINCHES THE MANUFACTURERS TITLE FOR CHEVROLET

ALMS ROUND 7 GENERAC 500 AT ROAD AMERICA Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin August 21, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 2m00.382s (121.055 mph) 2nd GT1: Ron Fellows, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 2m00.582s (120.854 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (4th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 71 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (5th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 71 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell

28

In the closest finish of the season C6.R #4 took the checkered flag a mere .132 seconds ahead of its sister ship. Oliver Gavin won pole position and held a commanding lead until his luck turned bad following a restart just past the one-hour mark. After getting a love tap from the Saleen he locked the brakes going into turn 1, necessitating an unscheduled pit stop for new tires. Fortunately, a full course caution arose just in time for him to pit under yellow. Running on fresher tires, Johnny O’Connell was able to put tremendous pressure on Beretta as the clock wound down, but the latter was able to hold on for the win. The Pratt & Miller Team's 7th consecutive 1-2 finish gave Chevrolet an early claim to this year’s manufacturers title. With the team title already sewn up as well, all that was left was the coveted drivers championship. Their win at Road America put Gavin and Beretta within 3 points of Fellows and O’Connell, ensuring an epic battle in the races yet to come.

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 29

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

29

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:26 AM

Page 30

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

MOSPORT: CORVETTE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE GAVIN AND BERETTA RECORD THEIR THIRD WIN IN A ROW

ALMS ROUND 8 GRAND PRIX OF MOSPORT Mosport International Raceway Bowmanville, Ontario September 4, 2005 QUALIFYING: 2nd GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m13.765s (120.008 mph) 4th GT1: Ron Fellows, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m13.891s (119.803 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (6th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 119 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (7th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 119 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell

30

Despite further adjustments designed to equalize the performance among all GT1 entrants Corvette Racing continued to outshine the competition. The Maserati was quick and the Saleen was even faster, earning pole position and then holding the GT1 lead for the first hour and 53 minutes of racing. While the Corvettes were unable to pass the Saleen on speed alone, superior fuel economy and faster pit work gave them a decisive advantage. When it was all over, Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta notched their third consecutive victory and in so doing took a one-point lead in the race for the ALMS GT1 drivers championship. Once again demonstrating just how evenly matched the two Corvettes were all season, C6.R #3 finished a mere 2.022 seconds behind its sister car to take second in class. As was the case for most of this year, a second or two gained or lost in the pits meant the difference between first and second in the final standings. This was the 8th consecutive 1-2 finish for The Pratt & Miller team.

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 31

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

31

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 32

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

ROAD ATLANTA: CLASH OF THE TITANS GAVIN, BERETTA, AND MAGNUSSEN BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO CHEVROLET AND THE PRATT & MILLER TEAM

ALMS ROUND 9 PETIT LE MANS Road Atlanta Braselton, Georgia October 1, 2005 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m16.627s (119.331 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m16.778s (119.097 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (3rd overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 379 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Jan Magnussen 6th GT1 (12th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 357 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Max Papis

32

GT1 competition heated up considerably at the Petit Le Mans with the return of Aston Martin’s DBR9 racers. Following Aston’s win at Sebring and Corvette’s triumph in Le Mans this third meeting of the world’s best GT1 competitors promised to be one of the most exciting races of the year. Though the Aston squad put relentless pressure on the Pratt & Miller team, Corvette #4 was effectively in control from beginning to end. A brilliant performance on track, consistently flawless pit work, and the essential element of good luck combined to

give Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Jan Magnussen a decisive victory. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, and Max Papis turned in their own virtuoso on-track performance and benefited from equally flawless pit stops, but lady luck was not in their corner for this round. An uncharacteristic engine failure put them out after 357 laps, which resulted in a 6th place finish in GT1. In concert with the #3 car’s disappointing result, the #4 car’s win brought Gavin and Beretta much closer to the 2005 drivers title.

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 33

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

33

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 34

P R A T T

34

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 35

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

35

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 36

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

LAGUNA SECA: GAVIN AND BERETTA WIN THE TITLE

ALMS ROUND 10 MONTEREY SPORTS CAR CHAMPIONSHIPS Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, California October 15, 2005 QUALIFYING: 2rd GT1: Johnny O’Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m20.719s (99.813 mph) 3rd GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1m21.123s (99.316 mph) RACE: 1st GT1 (7th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 158 laps Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (8th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 157 laps Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell

36

Pratt & Miller and Corvette Racing finished the 2005 season on top of the world, beating top notch competitors from Aston Martin, Saleen, and Maserati at Laguna Seca to record its 45th victory and 31st 1-2 finish. Despite their intention to run a conservative race in order to lock up the drivers championship, Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta managed to win it all after a final pit stop miscue cost the class leading #3 Corvette some crucial time. The ALMS drivers title was Beretta’s first and Gavin’s third, and the Laguna Seca win was Beretta’s 24th in ALMS competition. Demonstrating just how talented Corvette Racing’s driver lineup is, that stat put Beretta in the elite company of Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell as co-holders of the record for most victories in ALMS competition. And to put the final exclamation point on this fantastic weekend, the #3 car crew won top honors in the Klein Tools Pit Stop Challenge, making it a clean sweep of every available championship for the Pratt & Miller team.

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 37

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

37

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 38

P R A T T

2005 ALMS AWARDS

38

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 39

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

CORVETTE RACING, 2005: THE TEAM THAT MADE IT HAPPEN Truck Drivers RICH ELDRED STEVE HARTSELL STEVE LONGHI DON MALE J.R. REDFIELD KURT RYCHENER

Team JIM MILLER GARY PRATT DAN BINKS RAY GONGLA DOUG LOUTH JOE KIEFER STEVE COLE DAVE BAREFIELD JIM DURBIN GREG HIATT BOBBY HOUGHTON RANDY HUGHES DAVID JAMES ROSS JEFFREY TOM MIKRUT CHUCK MILLER JONATHAN NICOLS ROBIN PRATT MIKE WEST GARY YOUNG MIKE ATKINS BRIAN COLANGELO BRIAN HOYE JESSE THOMPSON CHARLIE DEGENER

GM Racing Executive Team MARK KENT STEVE WESOLOSKI GARY CLAUDIO KAREN RAFFERTY

Radio GARY GRUBE PHIL CURRY

2005 ALMS AWARDS GT1 Manufacturers Championship: Chevrolet GT1 Team Championship: Corvette Racing GT1 Drivers Championship: Olivier Beretta & Oliver Gavin GT1 Tire Manufacturers Championship: Michelin

Drivers RON FELLOWS JOHNNY O’CONNELL OLIVER GAVIN OLIVIER BERETTA MAX PAPIS JAN MAGNUSSEN

GT1 Mechanic of the Year: Ray Gongla Most Polpular Driver: Ron Fellows First Annual Klein Tools Pitstop Competition Championship: #3 CorvetteTeam

GM Racing DOUG FEHAN JOHN RICE BRIAN GOBLE MARK CHAMBERS DONNY ATKINS RICK VOEGELIN Bosch CHRISTOPH LEHMANN Katech KEVIN PRANGER RON HELZER PRS JIM KELLY MIKE TUOMI RON ROCHELEAU Caterer RALPH SIMPSON Michelin DONNIE WILSON

Timing and Scoring MELANIE CORRELL

39

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:29 AM

Page 40

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

TEAM PERSONALS

40

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 41

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

41

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 42

P R A T T

42

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 43

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

43

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 44

P R A T T

44

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 45

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

45

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 46

P R A T T

46

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

7108 Vette

2/28/06

11:30 AM

Page 47

P R A T T

&

M I L L E R

E N G I N E E R I N G

2 0 0 5

47