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The checkered
flag fell on the final race of the 2001 American Le Mans Series - October 6,
at Road Atlanta with a GM Goodwrench Corvette C5-R in Victory Circle for the
sixth time in the eighth race series.
The victory put Chevrolet and Corvette Racing in possession of championship
titles for top team and top manufacturer in the GTS category |
Dan Adovasio and Gary Claudio celebrating with
the winner's trophy after the fantastic Road Atlanta VICTORY!
Click here: ALM Press Release on Gary's
"From the Fans" award. |
October 6, 2001
The GTS class winner was the No. 4 Corvette of Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins
and Franck Freon, which finished sixth overall, 32 laps down, two laps up on
the LMP675 class-winning No. 57 Dick Barbour Racing Reynard/Judd of Milka
Duno, John Graham and Scott Maxwell.
Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins and Franck Freon finished sixth overall in their
Corvette, the first GTS finisher home and the trio's second PLM triumph in
succession. The 'Vette fended off an early-race challenge from the Saleen of
Terry Borcheller, Franz Konrad and Charlie Slater that dropped back due to a
lost wheel nut and later a lost cylinder in the V8 engine. "We were wounded
at the end, but still going," said Borcheller after winning the GTS drivers'
title, helped by the very early retirement of the Corvette of Ron Fellows
and Johnny O'Connell.
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C5 Registry Show Car
Photo: Glenn Darwin |
The
Corvette win clinched the GTS manufacturer's title for General Motors, and
Goodyear the tire manufacturer title, salvaging what GM probably wanted from
this season, though Fellows lost his championship hopes in the worst
possible way.
An electrical failure in his 'Vette on Lap 2 was fixed, but only after the
team had pushed his car into such a position that he could work on it. No
outside assistance is allowed, and Ron was excluded. Had the same problem
occurred on Lap 10 or later, Ron would have been champion. |
Getting Ready in the Pits
Photo: Tom Feuerherm |
Final Results: GTS:
1-Kelly Collins/Andy Pilgrim/Franck Freon, No. 4 Corvette Racing Chevrolet
Corvette C5-R, -28 laps
2- Franz Konrad/Terry Borcheller/Charlie Slater, No. 26 GTS Konrad Team
Saleen Saleen S7R, -30 laps
3- Mike Hezemans/Jeroen Bleekemolen/Anthony Kumpen, No. 45 GTS American
Viperacing Dodge Viper GTS-R, -39 laps
4- Chris Bingham/Ron Johnson/Oliver Gavin, No. 05 GTS Park Place Racing/Fordahl
Motorsports Saleen S7R, -70 laps
5- Tom Weickardt/Rick Fairbanks/Kevin Allen, No. 44 GTS American Viperacing
Dodge Viper GTS-R, -166 laps |
Track View from the Hill
Photo: Tom Feuerherm |
Photo: Tom Feuerherm |
Corvette Pit
Photo: Tom Feuerherm |
C5 Registry Director Jake Drennon Waits for News on Ron Fellows and the
Number 3 Car.
Photo: Glenn Darwin |
Ron Fellows Gets The News. His Car Is Out Of The Race - Championship Hopes
Are Gone.
Photo: Glenn Darwin |
The looks on the faces of Walt Turn and Jake Drennon
say it all!
Photo: Glenn Darwin |
1st GTS - Kelly Collins/Andy Pilgrim/Franck Freon
A Victory for Corvette!
Photo: Tom Feuerherm |
Now lets see boys.. What is your website?
Photo: Tom Feuerherm |
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