Two Olivers seeking more Corvette success

There will be two British Olivers racing Corvettes at Le Mans this year. However, Oliver Gavin and Oliver Bryant have vastly different levels of experience of the twice-round-the-clock contest.

This year’s race will be the 16th time that Gavin has lined up on the starting grid, while Bryant will make his debut.

Gavin will be seeking a recordequalling sixth GT class triumph. The works Corvette driver was a class winner for the first time since 2006 last season as he triumphed in a chaotic race for the GT cars and will again race alongside Jordan Taylor and Tommy Milner next weekend.

But for Bryant it’s all new – well some of it. He has never driven the car before, but does have experience of the circuit and 24-hour races.

“I’m delighted to be doing it – it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Bryant, who has raced both modern GTS and historic cars in recent seasons. “I’ve done the Le Mans Legends support race so I know where the track goes and the ACO has introduced a mandatory simulator session for rookies so I’ve got used to having LMP cars going past you. I’ve also got a lot of experience in GT cars, mainly front-engined ones as well [like the Corvette], so I’m sure getting used to the car won’t be a problem.”

Bryant will drive for Team AAI, which is run by the Belgian Prospeed squad, in the GTE Am division and he will be using the same chassis that Gavin was victorious in last year. He will be joined by Johnny O’connell – and Mark Patterson.