Say the name Johnny O'Connell, and three words come to mind: Corvettes, racing, and Corvettes. Since joining the C5-R/C6.R team in 2001, O'Connell has built a reputation as one of the quickest and most consistent drivers in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) competition. In 2003 and 2004, he even shared the ALMS GTS Drivers Championship with Corvette Racing teammate Ron Fellows.
Blessed with a fierce competitive spirit and lightning-fast physical reflexes (he holds a black belt in karate), O'Connell was long a perfect choice to pair with the veteran Fellows as the second driver of the No. 3 race car. Now, with Fellows racing on a limited schedule, O'Connell has moved one step higher in his career by advancing to the lead-driver position.
Our interview took place in the Corvette Racing paddock area during this season's St. Petersburg ALMS race. O'Connell-"Johnny O" to his legions of fans-was gracious and gregarious as he spoke about his past, present, and future with the C6.R team.
VETTE: Congratulations on earning the lead-driver role in the No. 3 C6.R.
Johnny O'Connell: Thank you. I am very happy.
VETTE: What are your thoughts on the St. Petersburg ALMS race?
JO: This was our first time here, so there's a learning curve for us and all the teams. The racetrack itself, I love it. It's got a long history. I actually raced here over 20 years ago. I think everybody at Corvette Racing enjoys the opportunity to be here.
VETTE: How have this season's personnel changes affected you-specifically Fellows' upcoming retirement and your promotion to lead driver of the No. 3 C6.R?
JO: It's been very fortunate. My team member Jan Magnussen and I were teammates before and had great success. The changeover is very good for the C6.R No. 3 car. But the difficult part is, [I've been] working with Fellows for six years. We've been teammates; we've shared a lot of memories and successes. And so there's sadness in knowing I'm not still sharing the car every weekend with him. But there's also excitement about what the future holds for Magnussen.
VETTE: We'd like to ask you the same two questions we posed to Oliver Gavin in our last interview. First, if Zora Arkus-Duntov were here today, what aspects of the C6.R race car team do you think he'd approve of?
JO: You know what? I think he would approve of every single aspect. I think he would be so blown away with how far motorsports have come, with how far the Corvette has come. I think most likely he'd be humbled that his dream-his creation-has [evolved along with] the sport. From what I know of Zora, he was a racer, and he very much believed in the philosophy of racing cars to improve the street [version]. And that philosophy, which I think was dormant at General Motors for a long time, is back and being proven.
The synergy between Corvette Racing and Corvette production is huge. There is a lot of collaboration between [Vehicle Line Executive] Tom Wallace and his crew and all of our engineers. It's been a very neat relationship. So I think that is an aspect that Zora would approve of. But also, I think Zora would be jumping up and down that we've won Le Mans so many times, that we've won Sebring, that we've won so many championships, and that every Corvette that is built gets sold. I think he'd give us the thumbs-up.
VETTE: Second, do you have a classic or late-model Vette and, if so, what year and color?
JO: I own an '01 C5 convertible, and the engine was built by Katech Engineering. It is the "Johnny O'Connell version" [laughing]. They bumped me up a lot of horsepower, and I love it. It's funny because there will be months when I don't drive it much, and I'll think, "Man, maybe I ought to just sell it and get a Cadillac or something." And then I'll take the thing on a ride and say to myself, "You're so psycho, man, don't ever sell the Vette." My kids wouldn't let me anyways. Its color? Light Pewter with Light Grey interior.
VETTE: Have you already realized your dream as a Corvette race car champion?
JO: You know, I'm very fortunate that right now-because of the amount of time and success that I've had with the team-I'm very much an integral part of Corvette's best era of racing history. But don't get me wrong. There are many more dreams and goals to accomplish. I know that my tenure here at Corvette Racing is going to allow me to achieve those dreams.