Oliver Gavin's farewell to Corvette: “The chance to live in a golden era”

How do you feel ?

It's the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. I spent 19 years with Corvette Racing, it’s huge. It's my entire career in the United States and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, since apart from my first participation (in 2001 in a Saleen S7-R. Editor's note), I competed in all my Le Mans with Corvette Racing. And since 2003, it has always been me who started the first race of the season. Honestly, who today can say that they spent 19 years with the same guys, with the same car number? I feel very lucky. That's it, it's finished. It's time to move on and it's certain that I'm going to need a little time to get used to my new life.

On Friday I was presented this award by @teamchevy & @CorvetteRacing
Thank you to @campbelljim #toddchristensen #GaryPratt #DougFehan @Brandon_Widmer #BenJohnson for the kind words & for organizing the team gathering & presentation. #Emotional #C5R#C6R #C7R#C8R#51Wins pic.twitter.com/6wbm32FdhH

— Oliver Gavin (@olivergavin) November 18, 2020

During the last laps, were you overcome by emotion?

I spent the whole weekend telling myself that this was my last weekend as a starter with Corvette Racing. I spoke with everyone who helped me and it was very pleasant. These last laps were ultimately pleasant and I am grateful to the team for having managed to ensure that we finished the race despite the problems encountered. Ben Johnson (Corvette Racing team manager. Editor's note) even allowed me to make a few donuts. I think he regrets it a little now, because the clutch suffered, as did the flat bottom and the puller since the tires were flat. But I hope everyone enjoyed it.

You are certainly 48 years old, but what made you stop?

Different things. I discussed it at length with the team, obviously. Covid-19 has had an impact on many levels. And especially on my schedule. I haven't been able to come home (to England. Editor's note) as much as I would have liked this year. And then, you have to see the energy that these very high level races require. In GTLM, I race against guys who are ten years younger than me, even 15.

Chaque week-end, se hisser au niveau requis demande des sacrifices. Antonio García, Nick Tandy, Connor de Philippi, etc., nous parlons là des meilleurs pilotes GT de la planète. C’est dur. Alors à un moment, tu te demandes si tu es prêt à repartir à l’assaut d’une saison complète. Et vous réfléchissez à ce qui est bon également pour l’équipe elle-même, avec ces pilotes de talent qui arrivent sur le marché (selon nos informations, il sera remplacé par Nick Tandy, lequel serait libéré par Porsche. Ndlr). D’un commun accord, nous avons admis que c’était la meilleure stratégie à adopter pour toutes les parties impliquées.

What did he tell you Doug Fehan, director of Corvette Racing ?

He was the first person to meet me when I got out of the car at the end of the race. He hugged me and I saw tears in his eyes. Doug is the keystone of this project, the man who signed me up, who made me stay for 19 years, who guided me. He's a unique guy, with a great character, but a great guy, a great professional who knows all facets of the profession and who masters them all better than anyone else.

Doug Fehan, one of the biggest influencers on my career at #CorvetteRacing
He signed me into the program Nov 2001.

Clearly a @corvette man through and through. As a program manager he was always looking and thinking about the long game, whether that wa… https://t.co/a9cuZ7TTjw pic.twitter.com/mIqbJqokTE

— Oliver Gavin (@olivergavin) December 17, 2020

He always put his group before himself, even though he was its undisputed leader. I will undoubtedly miss the conversations we had with Gary Pratt (boss of Pratt&Miller, which designs GM racing cars. Ed.) They always had the right words, whatever the situation. And they weren't hiding anything from you. If you were good, they knew how to tell you. If you weren't, they knew how to tell you that too.

Do you remember this first contact?

That's not a nice question, it's a long time ago (laughs). At the end of my first race with the Saleen, at Sebring in 2001, during my last stop, I saw two people sitting on the wall looking at me: Doug and Gary. I guess they were hoping the car wouldn't restart... They didn't expect us to beat them. But we did it. That's where I came on their radar, where it all started. Later in the season, Ron Fellows came to pick me up from a race and told me I needed to go talk to Doug. What I did at Laguna Seca in October 2001. He invited me to a test scheduled for November at Sebring.

How did this test go?

Believe it or not, I immediately recognized the passion for Corvette. That huge V8 up front, the vibrations, the power, the torque, the noise... It's an experience in its own right. It's very special. At the end of the day, they made it clear to me that they would be delighted to welcome me. For me it was a fantastic opportunity. Could I have imagined this would last 19 years? Impossible. A sports program, if it lasts three years, that's good. If it lasts five years, that’s exceptional. But 22 years (next year. Editor’s note), it’s absolutely extraordinary. I was lucky enough to live in a golden era. This reminds me of a phrase that Ron Fellows whispered to me in 2004. “Oli', you've come at just the right time. You're the right age, experience... If you're smart and you maintain the same level of performance, you could stay here for a very long time. » He had predicted the future.

What is your best memory ?

I get asked that one a lot. And each time, I have to think (laughs). I have so many good memories… I will answer 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 and 24 Hours of Daytona 2016.

Why ?

Let's start with Daytona 2016. Before getting behind the wheel for my final stint, I ran into General Motors President Mark Reuss in the pit lane. There, you have the pressure, you know that the “big big boss” is there. And 30 minutes from the goal, on the radio, you are told that the two cars can fight, but that no contact will be allowed. It was perhaps the fiercest of the duels I fought with, opposite, Antonio. But in terms of pure competition, it was perhaps the most intense 30 minutes of my career. It was fair play, without any low blows and at the end, if it went in my favor, it was very close.

And Le Mans 2015?

It has to do with the storyline, the way the week went. Jan (Magnussen. Editor’s note) had an accident in testing on the sister car, which had to forfeit. The team was able to turn a negative situation into a positive. All the forces gathered around a single car: ours. The teams of engineers and mechanics notably rotated during the night to avoid being overwhelmed by fatigue. It was a group victory. We started from afar, but we managed to come back.

La Ferrari was super fast, and I thought that being 25" away we wouldn't be able to catch her, but she had to deal with a finicky gearbox and I passed her to Mulsanne. When I crossed the finish line, I saw all the guys on the wall waving flags... I did a burn as I passed them to salute their work. I will never forget… and for good reason, I have the photo on my wall (laughs). Le Mans is really special. This event has a unique aura. The feelings are always heightened, especially the pressure.

Have you received offers from competitors?

Yes, but I was always aware of how lucky I was to drive with Corvette and how special a relationship I had with each member of the team. I just never wanted to leave because I liked the environment. I was happy there and I always had challenges to take on, new cars to drive and above all, the assurance of being part of a solid program that lasts. Going elsewhere also meant taking the risk that everything would stop after two years. The grass has never been greener on the other side of the fence.

What is your favorite car?

The C8.R is by far the most accomplished car that Pratt&Miller has designed. It's an incredible car. But I have a soft spot for the latest GT1 version of the C6.R. She was just fabulous in every way. The sound, the power, the noise, the carbon brakes, the Michelin tires... The alchemy between all the components was perfect. At Le Mans in 2008, it was mind-blowing. We exceeded the LM P2s.