Corvette Racing, whose cars are built by Pratt & Miller, began with a podium place at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1999 and has never looked back, lining up victory after victory. In 17 races at Le Mans, the Corvette C5-R, C6.R and C7.R have earned General Motors eight class wins, including four one-two finishes in GTS/GT1/LM GTE Pro.

With 19 podium finishes in all at Le Mans, the “Vette” as it is affectionately known in the USA, is a favourite with many, not least with former official driver Olivier Beretta, who took five of his six Le Mans titles in a Corvette. Oliver Gavin could equal that record. He took his fourth class win with Corvette last year with Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor.

Corvette Racing programme leader Doug Fehan won the Spirit of Le Mans trophy in 2014 and his team took superb class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona (which they won outright in 2001) and the 12 Hours Sebring this year. In Conneticut last weekend, they pocketed their 100th victory and took the lead in the WeatherTech SportsCar GTLM constructor championship. After eleven American Le Mans Series titles, including nine in a row between 2001 and 2009, the Chevrolet camp is aiming to nail its first title in the new American championship.

Corvette Racing’s record at the 24 Hours of Le Mans:

2000 GTS: 3rd and 4th

2001 GTS: 1st and 2nd

2002 GTS: 1st and 2nd

2003 GTS: 2nd and 3rd

2004 GTS: 1st and 2nd

2005 GT1: 1st and 2nd

2006 GT1: 1st and 7th

2007 GT1: 2nd and Retired

2008 GT1: 2nd and 3rd

2009 GT1: 1st and Retired

2010 GT1: Both cars retired

2011 LM GTE Pro: 1st and Retired

2012 LM GTE Pro: 5th and Not Classified

2013 LM GTE Pro: 4th and 7th

2014 LM GTE Pro: 2nd and 4th

2015 LM GTE Pro: 1st

2016 LM GTE Pro: 7th and Retired

Photo: Although the Corvette C7.R missed the top spot at Le Mans this year, it registered the 100th victory for the marque last weekend.