Pratt & Miller 2007 Corvette Yearbook by Pratt & Miller Engineering

ALMS Manufacturers Champion 7 Years in a Row

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2007 ALMS GT1 Drivers Champion

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS General Motors Chevrolet Corvette Compuware Mobil 1 XM Satellite Radio Motorola Bose Genuine Corvette Accessories UAW-GM Faro PolyWorks Michelin Paul Reed Smith Guitars BBS Wheels K&N Filters Katech Mahle Pistons Piloti and thanks also to Klein Tools Motorsports Composites Dynotech Team Tech CDM Detroit Ductile McNichol’s Anodizing Michigan Sandblasting H.E.B. Powder Coat Tram Tool Carlisle Productions KFC Composites Lightnen’s Customs Competition Graphics American Le Mans Series Automobile Club De L’Ouest www.corvetteracing.com www.badboyvettes.com National Corvette Museum 1

PEOPLE ARE OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE One of the largest challenges we faced this year with the C6.R program was staying motivated and enthusiastic in the face of so little competition from other teams. Every one of you met the challenge by recognizing that despite the scarcity of other competitors, the #3 and #4 cars still had to race against the best GT1 team in the world – each other! The competition between the two Corvettes was ferociously close at every single event this year so notwithstanding the unwillingness of competitors to step into the arena with us, we still gave legions of loyal fans exactly what they’ve come to expect from Pratt & Miller and the Compuware Corvettes – fantastic racing that emanates from a winning combination of unsurpassed teamwork, outstanding sportsmanship, and incredible skill. The capabilities of both of the Pratt & Miller Corvette teams were further demonstrated by your outstanding performance in the Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge. You dominated all of the other ALMS competitors for the entire season and then swept first and second in the championship finals at Laguna Seca. What happens at the track is the public face of Pratt & Miller but of course that is only the tip of the iceberg. There would be no cars and no racing without the incredibly talented and hard working people at our headquarters in New Hudson, Michigan and our Corvid Technologies division in Mooresville, North Carolina. We provide the proper work environment and the most advanced tools available and you provide something even more valuable; the expertise and unwavering dedication that enable Pratt & Miller to remain at the pinnacle of success in motorsport and on a strong growth path in all areas of our business. With everything from engineering services and fabrication to racing and our exciting new C6RS street car program, you continue to be our most precious resource and the foundation upon which this company is built, and that is why we are both so very proud of you all.

PEOPLE ARE OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 LE MANS: SECOND IN CROWDED GT1 FIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 SEBRING: PERFECT PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ST PETERSBURG: SMOOTH SAILING ON NEW BAYSIDE CIRCUIT . . . . . .23 LONG BEACH: TWO OLLIES SCORE THIRD STRAIGHT WIN . . . . . . . . . . .25 HOUSTON: No.3 CORVETTE STRIKES BACK WITH FIRST WIN . . . . . . . 27 SALT LAKE CITY : FROM LAST TO FIRST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 LIME ROCK: BACK IN THE USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 MID-OHIO: HOMECOMING IN OHIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 ROAD AMERICA: RACING IN THE RAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 MOSPORT: CORVETTE TRIPLE PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 DETROIT: NO PLACE LIKE HOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 PETIT LE MANS: CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 LAGUNA SECA: FIGHT TO THE FINISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 2007 ALMS AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 PRATT & MILLER CORVETTE C6RS: SUPERCAR FOR THE STREET . . . . 51 PRATT & MILLER SWEEPS KLEIN TOOLS PIT CREW CHALLENGE . . . . 57 MISSION CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 RON FELLOWS: GOOD GUYS WEAR WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 CORVETTE TEAM PERSONALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

— Jim Miller and Gary Pratt

Jim Miller

Gary Pratt

24 HOURS OF LE MANS Circuit de la Sarthe Le Mans, France June 16-17, 2007 QUALIFYING: 3rd GT1: Oliver Gavin, #64 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 3:52.130 (131.372 mph) 5th GT1: Jan Magnussen, #63 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 3:52.657 (129.429 mph)

RACE: 2nd GT1 (6th overall): #63 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 342 laps, Johnny O'Connell, JanMagnussen, Ron Fellows 14th GT1 (52nd overall): #64 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 22 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Max Papis

24 HOURS OF LE MANS: SECOND IN CROWDED GT1 FIELD Safety Car Stymies Fellows' Late-Race Charge in the Rain Corvette Racing experienced the agony and the ecstasy of endurance racing in the 75th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drivers Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen piloted their No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R to a runner-up finish in the GT1 class and sixth overall in the world's most prestigious sports car race. While the No. 64 Compuware Corvette of Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Max Papis was sidelined by a broken driveshaft in the race's second hour, its sister car had a flawless run throughout the long day and night of racing. The runner-up finish was the Pratt & Miller team's eighth consecutive podium finish at Le Mans, a streak that began with the team's first foray to France in 2000. The driveshaft breakage that eliminated the No. 64 Corvette was traced to vibrations while running under pace mode â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a repeat of the problem first encountered at St. Petersburg, and a hard lesson learned by the team. Clear skies gave way to heavy rain as the cars raced toward the 3 p.m. finish. With Canadian ace Ron Fellows at the wheel, the No. 63 Corvette C6.R was carving into the one-lap lead held by the No. 009 Aston Martin DBR9. Gaining as much as 30 seconds per lap, Fellows' charge was stymied by a safety car period. A final 10-minute dash under the green flag was not enough time for Fellows to catch the Aston Martin. "It was a real challenge and visibility was terrible," said Fellows. "I'm not too happy about when that safety car came out, but that's history. The crew and my teammates did an incredible job throughout the race." (continued on page 11)

Photos: R Prince, D Maybury, G P Johnson, D Tanney, R Pratt, P Brock

The No. 63 Corvette C6.R made 27 pit stops during the 24-hour race and completed 342 laps, a distance of 2,897 miles. "It was a great race between two strong rivals," Magnussen noted. "For our part it was almost a perfect race. We didn't stop once in the pits except for fuel, tires or a driver change. It was probably the most flawless Le Mans I've done. The only problem was that there was somebody else who had a nearly flawless run and they were just a tick faster." A rare mechanical problem sidelined the No. 64 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Gavin first reported a problem with the drivetrain while following the safety car. Minutes later he lost drive to the rear wheels and pulled off the track. Crew chief Ray Gongla instructed Gavin via radio to disassemble and inspect his stranded race car. After exhausting all possibilities to return the car to the pits for repairs, Gongla delivered the bad news: "I'm sorry to tell you it's a broken driveshaft," Gongla said. "We're done." Despite the disappointment of the early exit, the No. 64 crew stayed in the garage for the duration of the race, ready to assist the No. 63 team. "The honor of competing with the world's best sports car teams and finishing on the podium is a huge reward," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "There's no shame in finishing second at Le Mans."

ALMS, ROUND 1 MOBIL 1 12 HOURS OF SEBRING Sebring International Raceway Sebring, Florida March 17, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Jan Magnussen, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:57.854 (113.787 mph) 2nd GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:57.480 (113.381 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (7th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 341 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Max Papis 2nd GT1 (8th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 341 laps, Ron Fellows, Johnny Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell, Jan Magnussen

SEBRING: PERFECT PERFORMANCE Pratt & Miller Corvettes Score Fifth Win in Legendary 12-Hour Endurance Race The cracked and crumbling concrete of Sebring International Raceway is a punishing test for man and machine. Once a training ground for bomber pilots, the legendary airport circuit is now a proving ground for world-class endurance racers. The season-opening round of the American Le Mans Series saw the debut of two new Compuware Corvette C6.Rs from Pratt & Miller, chassis Nos. 5 and 6. Both cars were equipped with a new production-based air conditioning system. There was a new driver lineup as well, as Jan Magnussen moved to the No. 3 Corvette C6.R with Johnny O'Connell and Ron Fellows while Max Papis joined Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the No. 4 Corvette C6.R. Race day began with a sunrise surprise as the crew of the No. 3 Corvette transformed their car from Velocity Yellow to brilliant Arctic White after qualifying, a salute to the limited edition Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06. Both Corvettes ran perfect races as the Pratt & Miller team scored its fifth GT1 class win in six years in Sebring. The No. 4 Corvette C6.R won by 17.863 seconds over its sister car and 10 laps over the third-place Aston Martin. Both Pratt & Miller entries ran like clockwork throughout the grueling 12-hour race, completing 341 laps around the 3.7-mile circuit. The crews were also perfect, performing 13 flawless pit stops. "The Corvette C6.R was a joy to drive all day," said Gavin, who drove the winning Corvette to the checkered flag. "The team performed fantastically, and there wasn't one misstep on any of the pit stops."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro, D Maybury

ALMS, ROUND 2 ACURA SPORTS CAR CHALLENGE OF ST. PETERSBURG St. Petersburg Street Circuit St. Petersburg, Florida March 31, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:09.531 (93.196 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O'Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:10.212 (92.292 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (8th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 111 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (23rd overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 37 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen

ST. PETERSBURG: SMOOTH SAILING ON NEW BAYSIDE CIRCUIT No. 4 Corvette Wins on the Streets of St. Pete Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta sailed to their second consecutive GT1 class victory of the season in the American Le Mans Series' inaugural race on the waterfront street circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla. The two Ollies had a smooth run to the winner's circle in their No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R after a driveline problem sidelined the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen. The Pratt & Miller engineers relished racing on the new circuit. With limited practice time, the team needed to have good setups when the race cars first rolled out of their trailers. Using Pratt & Miller's proprietary computer simulation programs, the engineers nailed the chassis settings for the new bayside street course. The drivers had to contend with heavy traffic and avoid the unyielding concrete walls that lined the 1.8-mile temporary circuit. "Like all the street races, you are allowed no mistakes," Beretta explained. "If you brake just a little bit late or lock the wheels, you can end up hitting the wall." The two Corvettes were running nose-to-tail when the first caution period began at 46 minutes into the race. Beretta's pole-winning No. 4 Corvette held a slight advantage when the No. 3 Corvette suddenly slowed on the course, the victim of a broken driveshaft. Although the failure was exhaustively analyzed, the true cause would come back to haunt the Corvette Racing team at Le Mans. "It was a very strange race today, but as usual my Corvette, my crew and my teammate were perfect," said Beretta, who extended his record for ALMS career victories with his 30th win.

Photos: R Prince, R Pratt

ALMS, ROUND 3 TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH Toyota Grand Prix Long Beach, California April 14, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:18.145 (90.662 mph) 2nd GT1: Jan Magnussen, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:18.364 (90.409 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (10th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 71 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (11th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 71 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen

LONG BEACH: TWO OLLIES SCORE THIRD STRAIGHT WIN Corvette Racing Has Flawless Run in Inaugural ALMS Long Beach Street Race It was a new venue for the American Le Mans Series but a familiar result in the GT1 class as Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta drove their No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R to their third straight win of the season at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The two Ollies completed 71 laps on the 1.968-mile street circuit, finishing .349 seconds ahead of the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R driven by Jan Magnussen and Johnny O'Connell. The Grand Prix of Long Beach was the second of three consecutive street races for the ALMS series, and the Corvette drivers were mindful of the unforgiving concrete walls. The 100-minute race was the shortest in ALMS history. Both Corvettes made their scheduled pit stops at the halfway point, pitting one lap apart for tires, fuel, and a driver change. "The car was absolutely great," said Magnussen. "We needed to win this race, and we needed to nail it in qualifying â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but we didn't, so we'll do it next time." With a compressed two-day schedule, Pratt & Miller again used its high-tech simulation and analysis programs to prepare for the Long Beach race. Although Corvette Racing was unopposed in the top GT class, the team attacked the course with all of its technical weapons. "The Corvette Racing engineering staff did a great job getting ready for our first ALMS race in Long Beach," commented Steve Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager. "We're using these races to prove the cars' reliability and to keep the engineering staff and the pit crews sharp for Le Mans."

Photos: R Prince, G P Johnson

ALMS, ROUND 4 LONE STAR GRAND PRIX Reliant Park Houston, Texas, April 21, 2007 QUALIFYING: 2nd GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:06.963 (90.480 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O'Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:07.142 (90.237 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (10th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 138 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen 2nd GT1 (11th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 138 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta

HOUSTON: No.3 CORVETTE STRIKES BACK WITH FIRST WIN Survival is the Name of the Game in Lone Star Grand Prix Racing on Houston's rough and rugged 1.7-mile Reliant Park temporary street circuit is like riding a mechanical bull. Jan Magnussen and Johnny O'Connell held on throughout the two-hour and 45-minute race to stake their claim to the GT1 winner's circle for the first time in 2007. O'Connell and Magnussen teamed up to win their first race together since they won in an LMP1 prototype at Mosport International Raceway in 1999. The pair completed 138 laps in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R and finished 50 seconds ahead of Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the sister car. O'Connell started behind Beretta on the grid, but took the lead on the first round of pit stops at 40 minutes into the race. He was able to build a 13-second advantage before the second round of pit stops when he handed over the car to Magnussen. The race had only one full-course caution period, but it proved to be decisive. When the yellow flag flew shortly after two hours of racing, the two Corvettes were separated by the overall leader. Consequently the leading No. 3 Corvette gained nearly a full-lap on its rival following a wave-around and was on the road to victory. Pratt & Miller engineers devised an unusual three-stop pit strategy as the team rehearsed for the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans. "Houston is the bumpiest track that we race on this season," said Gavin. "The computer simulation work the engineers did before the race and the adjustments the crew made in the setup at the track produced a fantastic race car."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro

ALMS ROUND 5 UTAH GRAND PRIX Miller Motorsports Park Tooele, Utah May 19, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 2:35.697 (103.725 mph) 2nd GT1: Jan Magnussen, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 2:38.689 (101.769 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1: (8th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 61 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1: (9th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 61 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen

SALT LAKE CITY: FROM LAST TO FIRST Gavin and Beretta Score Come-from-Behind Victory in Final WarmUp for Le Mans After three consecutive races in the tight confines of concrete-lined street circuits, the Pratt & Miller team was eager to return to the wideopen spaces of Miller Motorsports Park. "Parts of the track are very similar to Le Mans," observed Oliver Gavin. "It doesn't have the same straight-line speed and heavy braking that we experience at Le Mans, but its racing surface is just as smooth and the circuit has elements that remind me of the Dunlop Chicane and the Esses." Gavin was the fastest GT1 qualifier, but started at the back after the team elected to change tires that had been flat-spotted in a spin during qualifying. Gavin dispatched the entire GT2 field on the first lap, gaining nine positions, and by the third lap, he was 3.5 seconds behind the class-leading No. 3 Corvette. Then after the first round of pit stops at the 40-minute mark, the No. 4 Corvette emerged with the lead. "As I came in for the pit stop, Ray Gongla, my crew chief, said on the radio, 'Make it count!'" Gavin recalled. "I pushed and pushed, the crew did a fantastic pit stop, and we managed to get out just in front of Jan. I have to say that our engineer, Steve Cole, and the team gave us a brilliant race car today." For team manager Gary Pratt, the race was business as usual. "It was a smooth run, and I'm proud of the drivers and crews," he said. "Everybody kept it on the track." Johnny O'Connell also had his eyes on the Le Mans prize. "The next stop is Le Mans, and we're hoping for good fortune there," he said. "We've certainly done our homework in these last races."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro, R Pratt

ALMS, ROUND 6 NORTHEAST GRAND PRIX Lime Rock Park Lakeville, Connecticut July 7, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 51.411 (107.837 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O'Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 51.424 (107.810 mph) (Grid determined by practice times after qualifying cancelled due to rain)

RACE: 1st GT1 (8th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 165 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (9th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 165 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen

LIME ROCK: BACK IN THE USA Gavin and Beretta Celebrate Fifth GT1 Victory at Lime Rock The Pratt & Miller team spent the Fourth of July holiday weekend riding the roller coaster 1.54-mile Lime Rock circuit. Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta avoided the heavy traffic on the congested road course and scored a .384-second victory in their No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R over Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. The starting grid was set by practice times after rain cancelled qualifying. Gavin and Beretta led from flag to flag as the two Corvettes were never separated by more than a few seconds throughout the two-hour, 45-minute race. "This is the smallest, narrowest, bumpiest, and craziest track we race on," said Gavin. "You have to keep your wits about you all the time. It's very satisfying to come back to America and get a victory in our first race after Le Mans." The race was interrupted by three full-course caution periods, and both Corvettes showed the scars of combat after the race. "It was like riding a bicycle in the middle of a highway with trucks and cars all around you," Beretta explained. "Staying out of trouble was not easy, but (crew chief) Ray Gongla did a terrific job of spotting for me in the pits." The flawless run at Lime Rock was a tonic for the Pratt & Miller team. "Hats off to the engine guys,â&#x20AC;? said team manager Gary Pratt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They did a great job this weekend. The pit stops were perfect and that's the way you wish every race would run."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro

ALMS, ROUND 7 AMERICAN LE MANS AT MID-OHIO Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio July 21, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:16.635 (106.072 mph) 2nd GT1: Johnny O'Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:16.568 (106.164 mph) (time disallowed)

RACE: 1st GT1 (11th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 125 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (12th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 125 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen

MID-OHIO: HOMECOMING IN OHIO Gavin and Beretta Make It Six Wins in Corvette's Backyard Conceived on the Corvette assembly line in nearby Bowling Green, Ky., and raised at Pratt & Miller headquarters in Michigan, the twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars were local favorites at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The Mid-Ohio round of the ALMS series is well attended by Pratt & Miller's friends and extended family. "There is a family atmosphere, but there might be a little more pressure because so many people you know are watching," said Oliver Gavin. Gavin and his teammate Olivier Beretta stood up to the pressure and scored their sixth win of the season. The No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen encountered misfortune at Mid-Ohio: O'Connell had to start at the back of the pack after a technical infraction in qualifying, and Magnussen was spun by a prototype and effectively eliminated from contention. After the first round of pit stops and driver changes, Beretta had a 12second lead over Magnussen. The Dane methodically reduced the gap â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but then fate intervened. Magnussen was hit and spun by Bryan Herta's LMP2, losing nearly 20 seconds. The Corvette's run to the front was effectively ended. "We had almost caught up to the other Corvette," said Magnussen, "and it would have been cool to race them to the finish." "We seem to be on a bit of a roll here, and I'm extremely happy to have my sixth win of the season," Gavin commented. "The team did a fantastic job, and we gained time on every pit stop."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro

ALMS ROUND 8 GENERAC 500 AT ROAD AMERICA Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin August 11, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Jan Magnussen, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 2:00.973 (120.463 mph) 2nd GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 2:01.059 (120.378 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (12th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 91 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (13th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 90 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen

ROAD AMERICA: RACING IN THE RAIN Gavin and Beretta Score Seventh Win as Pace Car Plays Decisive Role Road America is one circuit that every road racer relishes. The fourmile course carved into Wisconsin's rolling hills is a test of horsepower, handling, and bravery. Like Le Mans and Spa, Road America is a highspeed circuit that commands respect â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and suits the Corvette C6.R race cars perfectly. "Road America is one of the last old-style, really challenging tracks that we race on," said Oliver Gavin. "It's quite open, it's flowing, and it's very fast." Corvette Racing had new competition in the form of the Doran Racing Maserati MC12, which qualified one second behind Magnussen's polewinning time. The race began under sunny skies, but the arrival of heavy rain at 90 minutes into the 4-hour race signaled the start of a full-course caution period that lasted more than an hour. The race leader was between the No. 4 and No. 3 Corvettes when the caution period began, and consequently Gavin gained nearly a full lap on Johnny O'Connell when the field was realigned. Running at the back of the slowly moving queue of cars, Gavin began to feel unwell from the exhaust fumes of the cars in front of him. He pitted and turned the car over to Beretta. There was more drama as Magnussen passed Beretta with 49 minutes remaining to get back on the lead lap. Then just before the Corvettes' final pit stops, Beretta spun in Turn 8. He recovered and finished one lap ahead of his teammate.

Photos: J Machaqueiro

ALMS ROUND 9 GRAND PRIX OF MOSPORT Mosport International Raceway Bowmanville, Ontario August 26, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:13.857 (119.859 mph) 2nd GT1: Ron Fellows, #33 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:14.005 (119.619 mph) 3rd GT1: Johnny O'Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:14.097 (119.470 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (10th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 116 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen 2nd GT1 (11th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 116 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 3rd GT1 (12th overall): #33 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 116 laps, Ron Fellows, Andy Pilgrim

MOSPORT: CORVETTE TRIPLE PLAY Speed and Good Fortune Favor No. 3 Corvette C6.R in Canadian Round Race fans were seeing triple at Mosport International Raceway as three Corvettes battled for the GT1 title there. Ron Fellows and Andy Pilgrim were reunited for the ninth round of the ALMS in an Arctic White No. 33 Compuware Corvette C6.R that celebrated the limited edition Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06. Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen last stood together in the Mosport winner's circle in 1999 after winning the LMP1 class. The pair reprised their winning performance in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R to take the GT1 title with a 57-second margin of victory over Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Fan favorites Fellows and Pilgrim finished third. Gavin lost the lead in the first stint after contact with an impatient prototype driver, and a punctured tire in the final stint sealed his fate. In contrast, Magnussen and O'Connell made a flawless run to the finish of the two-hour, 45-minute race. "We have to thank our new engineer, Ben Brady," said O'Connell. "We've been working to get that winning chemistry, and everything went right today." The No. 33 Corvette held second place for most of the race before being passed by Gavin two minutes before the checkered flag. "The fans' attention is incredibly flattering," said Fellows. "You need to cherish those moments because they're not going to happen forever. I'll never forget it."

Photos: J Machaqueiro

ALMS ROUND 10 DETROIT BELLE ISLE GRAND PRIX Belle Isle Raceway Detroit, Michigan September 1, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Jan Magnussen, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:21.057 (91.935 mph) 2nd GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:21.389 (91.560 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (10th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 103 laps, Jan Magnussen, Johnny O’Connell 2nd GT1 (11th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 102 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta

DETROIT: NO PLACE LIKE HOME Magnussen and O'Connell Rule in Inaugural Motor City Street Race Corvette Racing had a high profile on the town and on the track when racing returned to the Motor City for the inaugural ALMS Detroit Sports Car Challenge on the revamped Belle Isle street course. With the Pratt & Miller headquarters located nearby in New Hudson, this was a home race for the Corvette team. The team's roots run deep in Detroit. The team is managed by GM Racing, which has offices in the GM headquarters at the Renaissance Center, and the race-prepared small-block V-8 engines are built and tested at Katech, Inc., in Clinton Township. The team has an international roster of drivers, but the heart and soul of Corvette Racing can be found in Michigan. All six team drivers – Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Max Papis, Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen and Ron Fellows – were on hand for a full week of activities that included throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Detroit Tigers baseball game. They were also at a Corvette Pep Rally at the Renaissance Center. We were looking forward to being the home team for the first ALMS race in Detroit," said Gavin. "It's an opportunity to say thank you to the people behind the scenes who make Corvette Racing successful." Magnussen and O'Connell scored their third win of the season in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R with a one-lap margin of victory over Gavin and Beretta. "I had a fantastic car today," said Magnussen. "I was able to pull out a good gap in the first stint, and the way the safety car worked out we got almost a full lap. The Corvette C6.R worked great and the Michelin tires were absolutely mega."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro, G P Johnson, D Tanney, R Pratt

ALMS ROUND 11 PETIT LE MANS Road Atlanta Braselton, Georgia October 6, 2007 QUALIFYING: 2nd GT1: Johnny Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:18.415 (116.610 mph) 3rd GT1: Oliver Gavin, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:18.602 (116.333 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (9th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 364 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Max Papis 3rd GT1 (30th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 15 laps, Johnny O'Connell, Ron Fellows, Jan Magnussen

PETIT LE MANS: CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED The Ollies Clinch GT1 3rd Consecutive Drivers' Title with Petit Le Mans Victory This year's Petit Le Mans was the 10th running of the 1,000-mile/10hour endurance contest, and it drew a record crowd of road racing fans to Road Atlanta. "Road Atlanta is a classic track, and it's fitting that an important sports car race is held here," said Ron Fellows, who rejoined Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Corvette C6.R. "Petit Le Mans has become a very prestigious event, and it truly is a 'Little Le Mans'." O'Connell and Oliver Gavin qualified second and third respectively in the GT1 class behind the Maserati MC12 of Andrea Bertolini. The two Corvettes quickly dispatched the Maserati in the opening laps. Then 20 minutes after the start, Magnussen was hit by Bryan Herta's LMP2 prototype in the high-speed Esses. The impact sent Magnussen hard into the tire barrier. "The fact that I can stand here now shows how strong the Corvette C6.R is," Magnussen said. "All of the safety devices built into the car absolutely did their job." With the retirement of the No. 3 Corvette C6.R, the No. 4 Corvette was on track to score Pratt & Miller's sixth victory at Petit Le Mans. Gavin, Beretta and third driver Max Papis completed 364 laps, and sewed up the GT1 drivers championship for Gavin and Beretta. "It's a very special moment to win the championship," Beretta said. "The crew and engineers have done a perfect job since the beginning of the year."

CORVETTE RACING 2006

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro, S Robertson

ALMS ROUND 12 MONTEREY SPORTS CAR CHAMPIONSHIPS Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, California October 20, 2007 QUALIFYING: 1st GT1: Jan Magnussen, #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:19.304 (101.594 mph) 2nd GT1: Olivier Beretta, #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 1:19.664 (101.135 mph)

RACE: 1st GT1 (11th overall): #4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 150 laps, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta 2nd GT1 (12th overall): #3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, 150 laps, Jan Magnussen, Johnny Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell

LAGUNA SECA: FIGHT TO THE FINISH Gavin and Beretta Cap Season with Ninth Victory With the GT1 manufacturer, team, and driver championships decided, the last race of the season became a celebration of Corvette Racing's success. The Pratt & Miller team had a special guest for the ALMS season finale: Jake, the team's skull mascot, adorned the Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars in full-body graphics. The Corvette C6.Rs waged a fierce intramural battle, and when the four-hour race was finished, Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta stood on the top step of the victory podium in the GT1 class for a record-tying ninth time in 2007. The winning duo completed 150 laps of the 2.238mile road course and finished 11th overall to crown their third championship season together. Corvette Racing won the GT1 manufacturer and team championships for the seventh consecutive year. "I have no words to describe what the Pratt & Miller crew can do," said Beretta. "On the pit stops they gave us more than 100 percent and put us in front. They are awesome." The race was literally won in the pits when the No. 4 Corvette took the lead for good in the second round of pit stops. "The guys had to do three flawless pit stops, and they did it," explained Ray Gongla, crew chief for the No. 4 Corvette. "We were knocked off the track twice today, and there was big pressure all the time from our sister car," said Gavin. "The one thing that kept us in front was the pit stops. The guys did a fantastic job with every stop. A victory was a fitting way to finish the season."

Photos: R Prince, J Machaqueiro, G P Johnson, R Pratt

2007 ALMS AWARDS GT1 Manufacturers Championship: Chevrolet GT1 Team Championship: Corvette Racing GT1 Drivers Championship: Olivier Beretta & Oliver Gavin GT1 Tire Manufacturers Championship: Michelin GT1 Mechanic of the Year: Ray Gongla Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge Championship: Corvette Racing Most Popular Driver: Ron Fellows

DRIVERS OLIVIER BERETTA RON FELLOWS OLIVER GAVIN JAN MAGNUSSEN JOHNNY O’CONNELL MAX PAPIS TEAM JIM MILLER GARY PRATT DOUG LOUTH DAN BINKS RAY GONGLA TOM MIKRUT ALEX ROBERGE DAVE BAREFIELD BEN BRADY STEVE COLE DEAN DOHERTY JIM DURBIN RICHARD ELDRED NEAL EVERHART HARRISON GILLETTE STEVE HARTSELL PAUL-ANDRE HEBERT BRIAN HOYE DAVID JAMES ROSS JEFFREY JOE KIEFER STEVE LONGHI DON MALE 49

DAVID MARIN CHUCK MILLER STEFANO MONTRESOR JONATHAN NICOLS ROBIN PRATT RICHARD PRIESTER STUART TAYLOR MIKE WEST GARY YOUNG RADIO GARY GRUBE FRANK PARKER TIMIMG AND SCORING MELANIE CORRELL BOSCH CHRISTOPH LEHMANN MATT SMITH MICHELIN BRIAN HIGHTOWER HOSPITALITY RALPH SIMPSON

GM RACING EXECUTIVE TEAM BRENT DEWAR MARK KENT STEVE WESOLOSKI GM RACING DOUG FEHAN ROGER ALLEN KRISTIN ANDERSON DONNIE ATKINS BENOIT FROGER TOM GIDEON BRIAN GOBLE JACOB HEIDEN MIKE HENNEY RICHARD PRINCE CHARLIE SULLIVAN RICK VOEGELIN CHEVROLET ED PEPER TOM WALLACE GARY CLAUDIO TODD CHRISTENSEN AMY MANARDO

KATECH JOHN RICE RON HELZER KEVIN PRANGER Photos: R Prince

PRATT & MILLER CORVETTE C6RS: SUPERCAR FOR THE STREET

Championship-Winning Race Team Develops the Ultimate Performance Corvette for the Highway Conceived, designed, developed and constructed by the championship-winning Pratt & Miller team, the limited edition Corvette C6RS bristles with sophisticated materials and race-inspired technology. Inspired by the Corvette C6.R race cars, the Pratt & Miller Corvette C6RS supercar combines advanced racing technology with everyday driveability. "Our goal with the Corvette C6RS was to capture the soul and spirit of the Corvette C6.R race car in a premium GT car for the street," said Gary Pratt. "The C6RS is a car with a legendary racing heritage and an unrivalled engineering pedigree. Just as the Corvette C6.R race car has become the benchmark in production-based sports car competition, we believe that the Pratt & Miller Corvette C6RS will set the new standard for sports car performance and luxury on the highway." Powered by a Katech Performance 8.2-liter (500ci) all-aluminum small-block V-8 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. torque, the Pratt & Miller Corvette C6RS employs a purpose-built carbon fiber body to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic efficiency. A computer-controlled adjustable suspension system, center-nut forged aluminum BBS wheels with Michelin tires, and massive Brembo monoblock disc brakes enhance vehicle dynamics. A two-tone leather interior and a comprehensive sound control system produce a quiet, comfortable environment for driver and passenger. The aggressively styled lightweight body measures 1.6 inches wider than a production Corvette Z06. The carbon fiber front fascia has integrated brake ducts and ram air induction. Aerodynamic enhancements include functional front fender louvers, a carbon fiber underwing and rear diffuser, enlarged front wheel vents and rear brake ducts, an integrated rear spoiler, and a front splitter. "The Corvette C6RS delivers an extremely high level of performance with extraordinary comfort and reliability," said Pratt. "The Corvette C6RS was inspired by our Corvette race program, but it's not a race car for the street. You can take the Corvette C6RS on a 300-mile road trip, or drive it to a track day and run fast laps."

Photos: J Fets, C Ladouceur, G P Johnson

PRATT & MILLER SWEEPS KLEIN TOOLS PIT CREW CHALLENGE

Corvette Crews Score One-Two Finish in Pit Stop Competition The Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge matched 20 crews in a seasonlong race against the clock for $100,000 in prize money. A series of preliminary rounds narrowed the field to four contenders for the final playoff at the ALMS season finale at Laguna Seca. Facing the formidable Dyson Racing team, the Pratt & Miller pit crews swept the competition with a one-two finish. Led by crew chief Dan Binks, the No. 3 Corvette C6.R crew claimed the $20,000 first prize, and the No. 4 crew under Ray Gongla finished second. The crews had to perform a driver change, a simulated 30-second fuel stop, and a four-tire change. The two Corvette crews went head-to-head in the final round with the winner taking home the championship. The No. 4 team finished in 41.99 seconds while the No. 3 finished less than a second behind at 42.82 seconds. But the crew of the No. 4 was assessed a 10-second penalty for a technical infraction during fueling, and the No. 3 Corvette crew celebrated its second pit crew championship in three years. "All the guys on both crews work really hard on their pit stops," said Binks. "These guys make me proud, and they should be proud of what they do." "What could be better than a one-two finish in the Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge?" said team manager Gary Pratt. "We hoped that it would come down to a match between our two crews in the final. It doesn't make any difference which crew wins when we get a one-two finish. It was a great team effort; the crews practice together and they work together to develop the pit stop process. We think it makes a difference during a race." At the ALMS award ceremony, Gongla was honored as the GT1 Crew Chief of the Year for the second time in three years. He led the No. 4 Corvette team to a record-tying nine victories in 2007. "It really should be a team trophy, so it's an honor for me to receive this award on behalf of the crew of the No. 4 Corvette," said Gongla. "It takes the entire team, drivers, and organization to be successful."

Photos: R Prince

MISSION CONTROL

Inside Pratt & Miller's Ultimate Pit Stand It has more monitors than many offices and enough computing power to launch a satellite. It stands two stories tall and dominates the pit lane. Designed and outfitted by Pratt & Miller, the Corvette Racing pit stand is a mobile command center for the most successful team in the history of the American Le Mans Series. "Jim Miller was the impetus for building the pit stand," said Gary Pratt as the pit stand was unveiled at the season-opening Sebring 12-hour race. "His philosophy is to stay on the leading edge in everything we do. He felt we needed to upgrade the paddock and pit areas, and he was willing to make that investment." The Pratt & Miller pit stand is a bustling workplace for the engineering, technical and support staffs throughout a race weekend. Despite its impressive size, it fits entirely within the 30 x 13-foot space allocated by the series. Thanks to its ingenious design, the 3,000-pound rig can be set up and dismantled quickly. "We had three goals for the project: make it professional, make it functional, and make it easy to use," Pratt reported. "It's entirely self-contained." The rear viewing deck has 18 monitors for the crew chiefs and engineers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 for remote TV cameras, two for timing and scoring, and six for telemetry. Five monitors on the top deck keep the team managers and strategists informed. Twenty personal computers are in constant communication over a network, while a wireless link transfers data from computers in the transporters. A weather station monitors atmospheric conditions, and two tablet PCs built into the sides of the stand are used to input tire and fuel information. Battery backups and a generator ensure that the pit stand always has power. "A lot of thought went into designing the stand," Pratt noted. "I think we've raised the standard in the pit lane."

Photos: R Prince, C Ladouceur

RON FELLOWS: GOOD GUYS WEAR WHITE

Pratt & Miller Team Salutes a Friend with Arctic White Corvette C6.R One of Corvette Racing's familiar yellow C6.Rs had a new look when the green flag signaled the start of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The crew of the No. 3 Compuware Corvette transformed their race car from Velocity Yellow to Arctic White in a salute to the limited edition Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and the driver who inspired it. Led by crew chief Dan Binks, the crew of the No. 3 Corvette C6.R replaced all of the yellow body parts with new white panels after qualifying. The great white Corvette reappeared in August as No. 33 for Fellows' home race at the Grand Prix of Mosport. A charter member of the championship-winning Corvette Racing team, Fellows did the initial testing and development of the Corvette C5-R. He scored Corvette Racingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first ALMS victory in 2000, and has won 25 ALMS races and three GT1 titles with the team. Fellows focused on endurance events in 2007, driving at Sebring, Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans. When he wasn't driving, the Canadian ace attended ALMS events as a technical advisor and ambassador for Corvette. Known for his friendliness, good humor, and willingness to spend time with fans, Fellows was voted the ALMS "Most Popular Driver" four straight years in 2004-07. "I have always believed that as a professional race car driver, it's important to give as much of your time as possible to the people who are paying to watch you play," Fellows said. "Whether I'm driving in ALMS, SCCA, or NASCAR, I'm genuinely honored when a fan asks for my autograph."

Photos: R Prince, C Ladouceur