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Corvette Racing 2004 program

Legendary Chevrolet Corvette C5-R Raises The Bar In 2004 Championship-winning factory team announces powerful upgrades for sixth season DETROIT - Fast on the heels of capturing a record-setting third manufacturers' championship in the American Le ...

Edited: Jan 10, 2004, 4:14 AM

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Legendary Chevrolet Corvette C5-R Raises The Bar In 2004
Championship-winning factory team announces powerful upgrades for sixth season

DETROIT - Fast on the heels of capturing a record-setting third manufacturers' championship in the American Le Mans Series, the General Motors Chevrolet Corvette Racing team is hard at work in developing an even stronger package for the upcoming 2004 season. Furthering its status as the most successful race car in the 50-year history of the marque, the Corvette C5-R will start next year with significant developments in tire technology, personnel, engineering and aerodynamics.

"Corvette proved once again why it is worthy of the title 'America's sports car icon'," said Harry Turner, group manager for road racing. "Racing is the crucible where Corvette's reputation was forged. The accomplishments of this team mean so much to Chevrolet and the millions of owners and enthusiasts worldwide. We plan on continuing that tradition in 2004."

The Corvette Racing program recently announced a new partnership with the Michelin Group. The manufacturer will provide technical assistance and full tire support for the Corvette C5-R in the American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The team is currently undergoing another winter of rigorous development in preparation for the upcoming season.

"This championship season was another incredible chapter written in the rich history of the Corvette," said Doug Fehan, GM's program manager for Corvette Racing. "The competition challenged our position, but when the dust settled we were able to claim the title once again. This team has an amazing ability to overcome obstacles and that's how champions are made."

The works Corvette team recently announced the addition of drivers Olivier Beretta, Max Papis and Jan Magnussen to the Chevrolet family. Beretta, 34, will join Oliver Gavin in the #4 Corvette C5-R for the full season of the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, bringing years of racing at the top levels of international competition, from Le Mans to Formula 1, to a driver roster already rich in talent. Papis, 34, a veteran open-wheel and sports car racer, and Magnussen, 30, a champion in sports cars, touring cars and single-seaters, will join the team for the three long-distance events during 2004, including the 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans. The 2004 driver lineup is as follows:

#3 Corvette C5-R
Ron Fellows
Johnny O'Connell
Max Papis

#4 Corvette C5-R
Oliver Gavin
Olivier Beretta
Jan Magnussen

The team will begin the upcoming season with a new six-speed gearbox from supplier Xtrac, engine performance enhancements and further aerodynamic modifications.

Corvette Racing's sixth full year of racing will commence at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs 342,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries. In 2002, GM sold more than 8.6 million cars and trucks, nearly 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's consumer website at www.gm.com.

-gm racing-

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