Post by Corvsport.com Administrator on Sept 5, 2011 10:20:52 GMT -6
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, September 3, 2011 - In a race that was full of mishaps including a spin between teammates, Corvette Racing still managed to end the Baltimore Grand Prix with decent field position.
The No. 4 Corvette (driven by Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen) qualified second, but only moments after the race started, Magnussen found himself in the middle of a traffic situation that also involved teammate Oliver Beretta (who was driving the No. 3 Compucraft Corvette.) As the No. 4 tried to make the first turn on the outside line, the car came into contact with the No. 3, resulting in a spin that put Magnussen into the wall. While no damage was done to the car, it did cost the team several positions.
As Magnussen explained, "Turn 1 is a very tight and slippery corner, and there was a bit of confusion," said Magnussen. "No one was to blame, it was just a racing incident. I had a good start and a good run on the BMW, and then a prototype ahead of us slowed right down. When he braked, I had to follow the BMW around the outside, but then someone came up the inside and it was a mess."
After a challenging day of racing that also included a cut tire, the No. 4 still managed to finish in a podium position, no small feat given the many obstacles facing the team throughout the race. Magnussen and Gavin finished third.
Prior to the start of this race, the No. 4 team was in second place overall in the GT Class. While the third place finish will not hinder their points standing significantly, the remaining races (Leguna Seca and Road Atlanta) will be critical for this team if they hope to take the championship from the current point leader - the No. 56 BMW (driven by Mueller/Hand), a team that has dominated the field in ALMS all season long.
Olivier Beretta started fourth in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, came out of the first turn in second, survived a spin that dropped him to sixth, and was running third when he pitted at 47 minutes to give the car to Tommy Milner. Milner was second in No. 3 Corvette C6.R behind Bill Auberlen's class-leading No. 55 BMW when the race restarted with 40 minutes remaining after a full-course caution to replace a manhole cover that had gone astray. Turn 1 was again Corvette Racing's Achilles heel as Milner had contact with the BMW, damaging the front bodywork and incurring a stop-and-hold 60-second penalty.
In the end, the No. 3 Compuware Corvette finished a somewhat disappointing 7th, leaving the team without the valuable points needed to remain in contention for a championship in the 2011 season.
The No. 4 Corvette (driven by Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen) qualified second, but only moments after the race started, Magnussen found himself in the middle of a traffic situation that also involved teammate Oliver Beretta (who was driving the No. 3 Compucraft Corvette.) As the No. 4 tried to make the first turn on the outside line, the car came into contact with the No. 3, resulting in a spin that put Magnussen into the wall. While no damage was done to the car, it did cost the team several positions.
As Magnussen explained, "Turn 1 is a very tight and slippery corner, and there was a bit of confusion," said Magnussen. "No one was to blame, it was just a racing incident. I had a good start and a good run on the BMW, and then a prototype ahead of us slowed right down. When he braked, I had to follow the BMW around the outside, but then someone came up the inside and it was a mess."
After a challenging day of racing that also included a cut tire, the No. 4 still managed to finish in a podium position, no small feat given the many obstacles facing the team throughout the race. Magnussen and Gavin finished third.
Prior to the start of this race, the No. 4 team was in second place overall in the GT Class. While the third place finish will not hinder their points standing significantly, the remaining races (Leguna Seca and Road Atlanta) will be critical for this team if they hope to take the championship from the current point leader - the No. 56 BMW (driven by Mueller/Hand), a team that has dominated the field in ALMS all season long.
Olivier Beretta started fourth in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, came out of the first turn in second, survived a spin that dropped him to sixth, and was running third when he pitted at 47 minutes to give the car to Tommy Milner. Milner was second in No. 3 Corvette C6.R behind Bill Auberlen's class-leading No. 55 BMW when the race restarted with 40 minutes remaining after a full-course caution to replace a manhole cover that had gone astray. Turn 1 was again Corvette Racing's Achilles heel as Milner had contact with the BMW, damaging the front bodywork and incurring a stop-and-hold 60-second penalty.
In the end, the No. 3 Compuware Corvette finished a somewhat disappointing 7th, leaving the team without the valuable points needed to remain in contention for a championship in the 2011 season.