Oliver Gavin to race in Europe
A deal has been reached whereby the Northamptonshire-based Briton will join Jérôme Policand and Patrice Goueslard in their Corvette C6.R for the Silverstone and Interlagos rounds of the 2007 Le Mans Series. The 34-year-old will also join with Luc Alphand Aventures for the 24 Hours of Spa at the end of July although it has not yet been finalized with whom he will drive.
Gavin made a flying visit to the official Le Mans Series test session at the HTTT Paul Ricard test track to meet with the team and finalize the deal. He said afterwards, “I’m really pleased this has come together as I’ve missed racing in Europe! I have a fantastic time racing in the USA and a wonderful job with Corvette Racing, which I don’t intend giving up, but it will be great to race in front of my ‘home’ crowd at Silverstone, and I’ve always wanted to do the Spa 24 Hours. Interlagos will be a new challenge for everyone, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to help the team clinch a Championship title or two.
“Luc Alphand Aventures is a really well put together and organized team, and the fact that they run Corvettes seemed to present obvious synergies. Luc is a mega in France, and a really nice guy too, and I felt immediately at home amongst the team when I visited them at Paul Ricard. Oh, and the C6.R they are running is my 2006 ALMS car as well so I shall feel right at home.
“The team knows how to run a C5-R well, from all their experience last year, but I’m sure I can help them a lot with the C6.R which drives a little differently. Maybe not until after Le Mans though as they will our competitors there! I must thank Steve Wesoloski and Doug Fehan for allowing me to take this opportunity and I aim to represent General Motors and Corvette Racing as well in Europe as I do in the States."