Team & Driver Features
A Short Q&A With Corvette Racing's Oliver Gavin
By by: Sahar Hassani
Sep 22, 2004, 23:19

Oliver Gavin has been a great asset to the Corvette Racing Team, especially after winning the 2004 24 Hours Le Mans GTS class title with fellow teammates Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen in their Corvette C5-R. As a teenager, Oliver started his racing career in karts where he competed in various national series. In 1990, Gavin switched to cars and took fourth overall in the British Formula First Winter Series. Oliver quickly accumulated championship titles and served as a test driver in Formula 1 for Benetton and Renault. In 2003, Gavin began his first full ALMS season with Corvette Racing and has never looked back. Between races, Speedarena had the opportunity to talk to the star.

Speedarena: How did you get involved in racing?

OG: I started racing at the age of 11 in karts. I raced those for 7 years in England. I then switched to cars, where I had great success at the National level. At the end of 1990, I started the Formula Ford where I won the British Championship. I raced single seaters from 1992-1995. In 2000, I came to the US in sports cars. I then began racing for Corvette Racing in 2002 where I won the 2002 12 Hours of Sebring and the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans GTS class.

Speedarena: Do you have any recommendations for children who want to pursue a racing career?

OG: I recommend karting. Its relatively cheap and a great way to learn how to race. There are only a few racing schools so karting is the best way to train.

Speedarena: Describe your workout routine.

OG: As a GM driver, we are responsible for our own fitness. I play a lot of soccer, cycling and running. I do a lot of marathons and triathlons. I also have two children who I love spending time with. My daughter, Lily, is four years old and my son, Isaac, is now two years old.

Speedarena: Describe the dynamics of the team:

OG: Olivier and I work well together. We drive the car the same way. Olivier is a great teammate where he is clever and very fast. We are able to understand what the other driver needs and we have an easy time communicating with each other.

Speedarena: What your goals for the next five years?

OG: I would like to continue racing for Corvette. I love the team. The Corvette people are wonderful to work with. Being a part of the Corvette Racing Team has been a great experience for me. I also enjoy the sprint races. I would like to do what Ron (Fellows) is doing and race other series while I’m still racing for Corvette. I had a great time racing at Whatkins Glen in the American Rolex Series for Bell Motorsports.

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