Corvette aces optimistic despite qualifying woes
Corvette Racing’s Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen played down the significance of qualifying at Daytona, after rain reduced them to sixth and eighth in the GTLM class.
Photo by: General Motors
On a soaking track, neither Gavin (#4) nor Magnussen (#3) felt they had shown anything like the Corvette C7.R’s potential around Daytona International Speedway’s 3.56-mile road course.
However, both Magnussen and Gavin feel that the improving weather that is forecast for the Saturday/Sunday race, and the length of the race, will render today’s action and grid positions as relatively meaningless.
Said Gavin: “The conditions were treacherous. The track in qualifying was as bad as it has been all day. For the most part, making a lap was a matter of chance.
“It was frustrating not being able to make a proper run but it is what it is. It’s a 24-hour race, and the conditions will be better on the weekend. We’ll move on from this.”
Magnussen concurred, adding: “Today was less than ideal in a number of areas. We had a problem with the windshield fogging, which meant I couldn't go when the track got better.
"The conditions have been far from perfect but we have a really good Corvette.
“It’s a long race, and we have a really good record of success in the endurance events. We will be fine."
In the 90-minute night practice, also held in the wet, Magnussen went on to set the overall pace.
Corvette Racing finished first and third in the GT Le Mans class at last year's Rolex 24.
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