Gavin: Shanghai Debut Will Help Corvette “Stay Sharp”

Oliver Gavin says Corvette Racing’s FIA World Endurance Championship cameo at the 6 Hours of Shanghai will help to keep the team on its toes during the IMSA offseason.

The Pratt & Miller squad is preparing for its Asian debut with the No. 64 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R driven by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship pairing of Gavin and Tommy Milner.

Both drivers have been confirmed by the team after appearing on the official entry list for round five of the 2018-19 ‘Super Season’, which takes place on Nov. 18.

“Going back to the WEC gives us a great chance to stay sharp in what is the offseason for IMSA,” said Gavin.

“We are going there to be competitive, to run up front and to go for victory. Whenever Corvette Racing goes anywhere, it’s to win.

“A victory would be very, very sweet. It’s a challenge but one we’re really looking forward to. It’ll be great to see the challenge of the race in China.

“The last time we saw most of those competitors was at Le Mans [where the best Corvette finished fourth]. We know it’s tight, it’s tough and very competitive. So we’re looking forward to it.”

Le Mans aside, both drivers have prior experience in the WEC’s standard six-hour race format.

In 2014, Milner shared a Corvette C7.R with Ricky and Jordan Taylor at Circuit of The Americas in 2014, while in 2013 Gavin joined Aston Martin Racing for a one-off appearance at the same event.

Of the two, Gavin has more experience of Shanghai International Circuit through testing days and non-racing activites, although neither driver has competed at the Chinese GP venue.

“We’re excited to challenge ourselves in the World Endurance Championship,” said Milner.

“Usually it’s at Le Mans but to do it at a place like Shanghai in more of a sprint format will be a lot of fun.

“It will be a big challenge – just like it is here in the U.S. But everyone in the FIA WEC is on top of their game as well. So it will be fun to see how we do with our Corvette C7.R.”

Corvette Racing team manager Ben Johnson previously told Sportscar365 that the team has faced a “daunting” logistics window to get the car ready for Shanghai.

It will likely use a mix of its two IMSA crews for the event, which comes a month after its most recent race at Motl Petit Le Mans, and seven weeks before its next engagement at the Roar Before the Rolex 24.