Corvette Racing is a huge fan favorite at Le Mans. Photo credit: Rick Dole for Michelin North America

This is the fourth in a 24 Hours of Le Mans preview series. Check back to michelinracingusa.com for more features and posts in the coming days.

No. 73: Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner, Antonio Garcia
No. 74: Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, Richard Westbrook

For Corvette Racing, the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans will only be a success with a return to the top step of the podium in the GTE Pro class. A year ago, both cars dominated in their first go in class with their new GT2-spec Corvette C6.R, leading frequently after qualifying on class pole. However, while one car ran aground of engine failure, another was run off the road by an overly ambitious Anthony Davidson in one of the overall leading Peugeots.

Gary Pratt of Pratt & Miller and Doug Fehan, Corvette Racing program manager, right, help oversee the team's Le Mans efforts. Photo credit: Rick Dole for Michelin North America

Corvette’s ALMS season has gotten off to a much stronger start than a year ago. The team has two podiums and finished in the top five in class with both cars in both races. Several changes meet Corvette at this year’s Le Mans compared to last year. Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook make their Corvette Le Mans debuts, while the team abandons its usual numbers of 63 and 64 as some teams running for the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup have those numbers assigned to them. If Corvette is back atop the rostrum, it will be their No. 73 or 74 that earns the honors.

While Corvette Racing itself didn’t utilize the Le Mans test day, its drivers were able to get some extra running in conjunction with the French Larbre Competition squad. In an older Corvette C6.R that Larbre runs in the GTE Am class, Beretta, Milner, Gavin and Magnussen came over and gained some invaluable laps and data to use for their return with the factory squad.