Oliver Gavin to race new Corvette Daytona Prototype in 2012

GM factory sports car driver, Oliver Gavin, is to dovetail a new prototype program into his already busy 2012 schedule. With the American Le Mans Series remaining as his main focus for the forthcoming season, he has been confirmed as one of Spirit of Daytona Racing’s drivers for the endurance events within the 2012 Rolex Sports Car Series: the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Saleens Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen and the Indianapolis 3 Hour race.

The British driver, who has been a stalwart of Corvette Racing’s multiple championship-winning American Le Mans Series program for 11 years, will be driving the new Corvette-bodied Daytona Prototype in Grand-Am’s premier series alongside Antonio Garcia and Richard Westbrook, both of whom are endurance team mates with Oliver in the ALMS. Oliver’s regular ALMS team mate Jan Magnussen will also be joining them for the Daytona 24.

Oliver, who is based in Northamptonshire in the UK, has considerable experience of both the DP and GT classes in the Grand-Am series accumulated over the past decade. A multiple champion in the ALMS, and a proven race and points winner in Grand-Am, Oliver could not hide his eagerness at the new challenge awaiting him.

“I am really delighted to be part of Spirit of Daytona Racing, driving with Antonio and Richard in the new Corvette Daytona Prototype," he commented. “I think this is an extremely exciting time to be in Grand Am and driving a Corvette in that series.

“The car looks fantastic and a real race car; I am itching to get on the track with it and see what it can do. A huge amount of work has gone into putting this all together at Pratt & Miller and, having worked with them for the last 11 years, I know just what they are capable of. This will undoubtedly be another fine machine from them and it should allow us to really challenge for victories."

Oliver will be attending the official three-day ‘Roar Before the Rolex 24’ test session at Daytona International Speedway this week and will then test his 2012 Corvette C6.R GT machine before returning to Daytona for the 24-hour race on 28/29 January.

In addition to his US racing commitments, the popular and speedy Briton is due to return to the Aussie V8 Supercar series during 2012. He so impressed the GM and team bosses ‘down under’ with his performance and demeanor that he is much in demand for a return visit(s).