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American LeMans
IN THE COCKPIT: Oliver Gavin, Baltimore
Lots has been written by now about the good and bad of the first Baltimore Grand Prix but I think the consensus is definitely that there was more good than bad about it and it will be a great addition to the ALMS calendar...
Oliver Gavin  |  Posted September 08, 2011  
Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen salvaged a podium result at Baltimore after a first-corner incident. (Photo: John Dagys)
Lots has been written by now about the good and bad of the first Baltimore Grand Prix but I think the consensus is definitely that there was more good than bad about it and it will be a great addition to the ALMS calendar.

It wasn’t an overwhelmingly satisfying weekend for me personally – although I’m not turning my nose up at third place in the ever-competitive GT class. How I finished did cause several people to turn up their noses though! Apparently my race suit absolutely stank of carbon fumes on the podium and I was whisked off to the medical center suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning...but more of that later.

The 2.1 mile street track has loads of potential for the future and was really challenging – as most street tracks are – and fortunately it didn’t deliver the multitude of red flag interruptions we feared, or too many nasty accidents like Tony Kanaan’s in the IndyCar warm up.

After overcoming a lack of track time in a compressed practice session on Friday, our No. 4 Corvette – in the hands of my team mate Jan Magnussen – secured a front row starting place, vital for a street course. With only a few laps under my belt in practice, I was looking forward to the morning warm up session to better familiarize myself with the bumps and bends of Baltimore, but an engine misfire added to mounting frustration.

Jan took the start but was an innocent victim in a mêlée which pinned us against a wall and allowed the majority of the field to pass. Fired up, Jan was then a man on a mission, going from 12th to fourth in 22 laps. The first-turn contact had, however, effectively decided the outcome of our race. It damaged a tire and we were forced to make an additional, unplanned pit stop for a fresh set of Michelins, and left the car somewhat battered and bruised.

The damage to the front of the car not only meant we lost mechanical grip on the front tires and suffered from massive understeer, but it also caused the exhaust system to rub on a carbon panel which led to fumes coming into the cockpit right near my helmet.

It made me feel very woozy, and almost pass out at one point, and my eyes were stinging because of the fumes; I just tried to keep fresh air blowing toward my helmet and keep it together long enough to get home in third. I had a little spin at one point because of all of the above, but fortunately didn’t lose any places.

By the time we finished my head was aching so badly I had to sit down on the podium and, after the other drivers told me I whiffed of carbon, I went to the medical center for some treatment and felt much better after receiving oxygen.

I was very frustrated that we lost the chance to potentially win this race. It was critical for our championship hopes and now the challenge will be even greater in the next two races. They are, however, longer races of 6 and 10 hours and there are more points up for grabs so nothing is impossible and we’ll be more determined than ever. Wish us luck!

~Olly

A former British F3 Champion and Formula One test driver, Oliver Gavin has raced in North America for the last decade for Corvette Racing, representing General Motors. He has achieved three American Le Mans Series GT1 Championship titles and four GT1 class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans , and in 2011 will also be racing a Chevrolet Camaro in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

For more information, visit: www.olivergavin.com, Facebook Oliver Gavin, or Twitter @OliverGavin
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Oliver Gavin

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