Tommy Milner wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT class with Corvette Racing

Other than the spectacular crashes by the two Audi cars this year you would have to say that the win for the number 73 Corvette was the most exciting thing about the race. As the sun was coming up over the picturesque French countryside the 73 Corvette was in 3rd place and a lap down on the two lead cars. It was safe to say that if the other cars didn’t run into any problems that Tommy and his teammates would end up 3rd. BUT, with a few hours to go the sister car collided with a back marker while overtaking in a corner and the car was destroyed and out of the race. One of the Ferrari’s assumed the lead and looked like it could cruise to the win, but with a couple of hours left in the race they started to have some engine trouble and the car lost quite a bit of power. The game was on! Tommy could smell blood in the water, and with Tommy behind the wheel he started to take chunks of time out of the Ferrari on every lap. The lead dwindled from a lap, to a half lap, to a minute, to seconds, and finally the Corvette was there to pounce and took the lead. Tommy never looked back and came in for their final driver change handing the car over to Antonio Garcia. They were able to capitalize on their competitor’s misfortune and won the race. It just goes to show that you can never give up and settle for less in an endurance race like Le Mans, anything can happen, and in this case their poise and clean driving paid off.

The win was particularly special for Tommy being the only American driver in the team, driving an American icon, and on the 100th Anniversary of the Chevrolet brand. This year so far Tommy has won the 24 hours of Dubai, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The only thing for him to check off his list for the year is get a win on home soil in the ALMS and take the championship in the GT class. It is a tall order because the GT field is deeper with talent and good cars than it has ever been. But you can be sure that Tommy (and his Censport helmets) will fight to the last lap of the season.