New and old faces at Corvette Racing

November 17, 2015

New and old faces at Corvette Racing

November 17, 2015

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Corvette Racing is adding some new and old faces to its driver line-up for the 2016 endurance races at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.

With Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia and Tommy Milner/Oliver Gavin returning for the full-season assault, the team has brought in a new set endurance drivers to fill the third seats for the major enduro events.

Audi FIA World Endurance Championship racer and former Corvette Racing driver Marcel Fassler will join Audi DTM star Mike Rockenfeller in the team’s lineup for the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

For the Le Mans 24 Hour, team regular Jordan Taylor will be joined by his brother Ricky as the extra drivers for the French endurance event.

Corvette Racing is the defending GT Le Mans (GTLM) winner of US both premier events. Adding two drivers who have won major endurance races around the world – including a combined five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – augments the experienced Corvette Racing driver lineup as it prepares for the first two endurance races of 2016.

fasslerFaster (pictured right)  is readying for his second stint with Corvette Racing. The Swiss native was part of the team’s endurance lineup in 2009. He was part of the runner-up trio at Sebring and also contested Le Mans and Petit Le Mans in a Corvette C6.R. He has not raced at Daytona but Fassler won overall at Sebring in 2013.

Fassler is a past World Champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship and won Le Mans overall in 2011, 2012 and 2014. His exploits in a Corvette also include a win at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2007.

“It’s really great that I have the chance to drive again for Corvette Racing at Daytona and Sebring,” Fassler said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to do those first two races in America. I already have raced three times for Corvette Racing in 2009 and have really good memories of working with the team. It’s always good to see them at Le Mans and other races where we cross paths. This is a great feeling. It’s the first time I’ve done the Rolex 24 At Daytona, so I’m a rookie but very highly motivated.

“I always have wanted to be a part of this race in a competitive car. Being with Corvette Racing gives me a chance to go for a class win. This is our main goal and the same for Sebring.”

Rockenfeller is a past overall winner at the Rolex 24 and Le Mans – both in 2010. In each of the last three years, he has driven Corvette Daytona Prototypes at the Rolex 24 with a third-place finish with VisitFlorida.com Racing in 2015; he and VisitFlorida.com also were third at Sebring.

Rockenfeller has a pair of additional podium finishes at Daytona. He won the 2013 DTM championship and is a past GT2 winner in the American Le Mans Series and at Le Mans.

“I’m very happy to join Corvette Racing for Daytona and Sebring,” Rockefeller said.

“The team is one of the best in endurance racing and one I’ve always watched at major races. As a driver, you always want to be part of winning organizations. Corvette Racing is one of those.

“It will be great to get back in a GT car for two of the biggest events of the year – including the Rolex 24 which I won in 2010. I’m hoping I can help Corvette Racing win there again in 2016. I’m excited to get started and get my first laps in the Corvette C7.R.”

Corvette Racing continues its preparation for the 2016 season in an open IMSA test Nov. 17-18 at Daytona International Speedway. Corvette Racing’s first race of the season is the 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 30-31.

Jordan Taylor is part of Corvette Racing’s Le Mans lineup for the fifth consecutive year. In addition to this year’s victory, he finished second with Garcia and Magnussen in 2014. Ricky Taylor will race at Le Mans with Corvette Racing for the first time; he will make his third start in the race and last competed there in 2014.

“It’s always great to go back to Le Mans, especially with Corvette Racing,” Jordan Taylor said.

“This time we go back looking to defend our victory from last year after one of the most mentally draining weeks that I’ve experienced. Looking back on the race, it’s amazing what the entire Corvette Racing team accomplished. I will never forget the feeling of being on the top step of the podium and I know we all are going for the same result this year.

“The updated Corvette C7.R looks stunning and I can’t wait to get my first laps in it. Having Ricky be part of the team also is great, and I’m confident he will fit in and perform well. We’ve been a part of many big moments racing a Corvette DP in IMSA. Hopefully we can carry that over to Le Mans.”

taylor boysThe Taylors have raced together the last two years in Wayne Taylor Racing’s No. 10 Konica Minolta Corvette Daytona Prototype. The pairing have played key roles in the development of the Corvette DP and won four races the past two years in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship – including a pair of victories this season.

Ricky Taylor claimed two pole positions in the 2015 TUDOR Championship, and Jordan Taylor is a past Driver’s Champion in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. They will drive the Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP again in the 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“I’m honored to be chosen to represent Chevrolet and Corvette Racing at Le Mans,” Ricky Taylor said.

“I’ve raced there twice but nothing compares to going there as part of this team. It means a lot to me to have this opportunity, and I fully intend to support my teammates to the best of my abilities. Getting time in the Corvette C7.R this far ahead of the race is a huge benefit.

“This is a great car and it’s easy to see why it has had so much success. Le Mans is like no other race in the world. It was special to see Jordan, Oliver and Tommy stand on the podium after winning last year’s race. I hope we can join them there this time around.”

Corvette Racing will continue its preparation for the 2016 season in an open IMSA test tomorrow at Daytona International Speedway. Corvette Racing’s first race of the season is the 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 30-31.

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