Le Mans, a human adventure: solidarity in LM GTE Pro

Photo : Arnaud CORNILLEAU - ACO/Nikon

Endurance racing is a special discipline in the world of motor sport since the driving of one car is shared by two or even three drivers, as in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the 24 Hours of Daytona for example. Often from the car, professional drivers need to change the way they work radically and have to deal with the settings and moods of their driving partners. To win, the crew drivers must have a rapport and show solidarity, as shown in adventure of the trio Beretta / Garcia / Milner, winners of the LM GTE Pro in the last 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Corvette Boys celebrated their 100 years of Chevrolet and the tenth anniversary of the first victory at Le Mans for Corvette, taking the class win at the Detroit manufacturer, although the race was not a bed of roses. The Corvette, as shown by the results of qualification, was not the fastest car, far from it, but as stated by Olivier Beretta, (sixteen entries at Le Mans) at the post-race press conference: "It takes luck for victory at at Le Mans." Good luck, however, was greatly lacking in the night ...

During a yellow flag period, Olivier Beretta breathed the exhaust gases of the car in front for many minutes, which made him sick to the point of not being able to drive. He has tried to do a stint in the morning, but his condition did not allow him to be in full possession of his skills. In solidarity, Antonio Garcia and Tommy Milner took all the driving to the flag. They continued to attack despite fatigue and earned a well deserved victory in a category where the competition was very tough.

The trio, however was quite new at the time, having raced only the 12 Hours of Sebring (they finished in third place). Tommy Milner arrived at the American manufacturer in early 2011 while Antonio Garcia joined the Corvette team only for long races at Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans. The Spaniard and the American did not hesitate when their partner was taken ill, they did the work.

"This time, it was me who was sick, but there have been occasions where I have had to cover for another driver, that is endurance racing." said Olivier Beretta after the race. Remember the same thing happened to Jan Magnussen in a race of the American Le Mans Series and Beretta had then taken the Dane's relay.

Without solidarity there is no success in endurance racing. History is full of similar stories. To share the driving with teammates is certainly a constraint, especially in settings of the car. However, this means overcoming the shortcomings of one, or best use of the skills of another. An example? Leo Hindery, American gentleman-driver, won the GT2 class in 2005 driving only a single stint, leaving the pro drivers Marc Lieb and Mike Rockenfeller to share the work and take the Porsche ... to victory!

LM GTE Am showcases diversity. LM GTE Pro illustrates solidarity. Visit next week for LM P2!

Cécile Bonardel

Photo : Le Mans (Sarthe, France), Circuit des 24 Heures, June 12, 2011. With an unwavering solidarity, the crew of the #73 Corvette won victory in LM GTE Pro in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.