Oliver Gavin to step down from Corvette Racing after 19 years

The 48-year-old Brit has been a mainstay of its programmes in IMSA and its forerunner, the American Le Mans Series, since 2003, which followed a partial campaign in 2002 which included the first of five class wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Gavin was part of the lineup with Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen that secured a hattrick of class wins in the GTS and GT1 divisions between 2004 and 2006, adding a fifth class win at the French classic in 2015.

He has also taken victories all of the major US sportscar classics, including the Sebring 12 Hours and Petit Le Mans, adding the Daytona 24 Hours on his way to the 2016 IMSA title with Tommy Milner.

Alongside Milner, Gavin racked up his 51st Corvette Racing victory at Sebring earlier this year, the latest mid-engine C8.R the fourth different model in which he has won.

PLUS: Memories from Corvette's two decades at Le Mans

Gavin said: "To have been with the same team for 19 seasons has been an immense privilege, and I thank from the bottom of my heart each and every person who has shared that journey with me.

"It's been an amazing run, and I've been very lucky to have been able to drive at such a high level for so long.

"I'm extremely proud of what we've achieved together, especially the championship wins and milestone victories at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring, among others.

"I'm also very proud of the part I played in developing four generations of Corvette racecars for both IMSA and Le Mans, and I look forward to exploring opportunities to represent Chevrolet and Corvette Racing in the future."

In a statement, Chevrolet U.S. VP of performance and motorsports Jim Campbell said Gavin was "synonymous with Corvette Racing".

"He has been one of the sport's greatest drivers and a fantastic representative of Chevrolet for nearly two decades - on the track, working with our Corvette production engineers, and engxaging Corvette owners and fans around the world," said Campbell.

"All of us at Chevrolet thank Oliver for his nearly 20 years of contributions to Corvette Racing.

"No driver at Corvette Racing has started more events, captured more championships or won more races.

"Oliver's success has brought great improvements over the years not just to Corvette Racing, but also to every Corvette that sits in an owner's driveway.

"We are hopeful of creating more of those opportunities with Oliver into the future."

Gavin and Milner currently sit second in the IMSA GT Le Mans championship standings, behind team-mates Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor.

Corvette's 2021 driver line-up has not yet been revealed.