Collard Joins Corvette Racing as Endurance Driver in the #4 C6.R

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Collard Joins Corvette Racing as Endurance Driver in the #4 C6.R

Corvette Racing has announced the signing of Frenchman Emmanuel Collard to its stable of drivers. The veteran GT/Prototype driver will join Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the #4 Corvette C6.R ZR1 for the endurance races at Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans. Collard will be replacing Marcel Fassler who was hired by Audi to co-drive one of its R15 TDIs this year at Le Mans.

Collard has driven for GM before. Back in 2000-2002 he was behind the wheel of the now defunct Cadillac LMP program. More recently, he has been employed as a factory driver for Porsche where he racked up a string of impressive victories at Sebring, Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Spa 24.

“I’m very happy to join Corvette Racing for the 2010 endurance classics,” Collard said. “Corvette has been the most successful car make and team in GT racing for over ten years now, so I’m obviously thrilled to be a part of this team. The Corvette C5-R and C6.R have been the absolute benchmarks in GT1 racing, and the new GT2 Corvette C6.R is already heading in that same successful direction. I hope my experience with GT2s from the past seasons can help Corvette secure class wins in the three endurance races.”

“We are pleased to welcome Emmanuel back to the GM Racing family,” said Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan. “He has proven his ability at all levels of racing, and he understands the demands and discipline of endurance racing. He will be a valuable addition to our international lineup of championship-winning drivers.”

Collard is expected to get his first seat time behind the wheel of the ZR1-based Corvette C6.R GT later this month during a closed practice session at Sebring. His first race will be the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.

As for the driver lineup in the #3 Corvette C6.R, Johnny O’Connell and Jan Magnussen will once again be joined by Antonio Garcia for the three enduro races.



Source:
Speed TV

Related:
Corvette Racing Receives GT2 Invites to the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Corvette Racing: Doug Fehan Q & A



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