With Johnny O’Connell leading the way in the #3 C6.R, Corvette Racing shattered the GT1 track record at Mid-Ohio during Friday’s 20 minute qualifying session. O’Connell lapped the 2.25 mile course with a time of 1:16.568 (106.164 mph) while Oliver Gavin was close behind with a time of 1:16.635 (106.072 mph). The course record was 1:18.033 set by Gavin back in May 2005. Unfortunately for the #3 Corvette, the car failed the stall test during post-qualifying inspection and will be starting from the rear of the grid.
“Apparently there was a malfunction in the sealing of the airbox, and the engine didn’t stall when IMSA officials tested it after qualifying,” said Corvette Racing team manager Gary Pratt. “Therefore they disallowed the car’s time.”The Mid-Ohio circuit has had a host of improvements made over the last year making the course a new favorite of the drivers.
“This race track is a lot of fun to drive around,” Gavin added. “The tarmac that’s been down for about a year now is giving good grip, it’s reasonably smooth, and we can attack the corners.” “They’ve improved the circuit, made the curbs more friendly, and I think every category is running faster,” O’Connell said. “Corvette Racing has also improved the Corvette C6.R and Michelin has improved the tires, so I’d expect us to be quicker than we were in 2005.”The Acura Sports Car Challenge, the seventh round of the 12-race ALMS series, will start at 3:15 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 21. CBS Sports will televise the two-hour, 45-minute race tape-delayed at 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 22.
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Corvette Racing: Johnny O’Connell Video at Lime Rock 2007 Technorati Tags:
Corvette | Racing | Mid-Ohio | ALMS
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