Saturday sees the third great sportscar endurance race of the ALMS season take place at Road Atlanta - Petit Le Mans.  Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen won the GT1 class at Sebring and Le Mans this year, can they make it three in 2006?

Petit Le Mans is a 1,000 mile or 10 hour race.  In the dry and without too many full course caution periods, the 1,000 miles are typically completed in under 9½ hours.  The only competition for the two Compuware Corvette C6.Rs are their season long rivals, the two Aston Martin DBR9s.  Oliver is confident though that they can get a good result this weekend.

Oliver, Olivier and Jan (& Friend) at Sebring 2006

"It's great to have Jan back with us, he fits so neatly into the team and complements the excellent relationship Olivier and I have throughout the rest of the year.  The three of us have competed together in 8 races over the years and we have won 6 of them.  Corvette racing are also sure to provide us with an excellent car so I can't see any reason not to feel confident.

"Having said that, Aston Martin are always very tough competition and I'm sure the battle will be as intensive as ever.  Petit Le Mans often comes down to events in the final 2 or 3 hours when drivers are getting tired, it's starting to get dark and the track seems to get more slippery later in the race.  A mistake or a mechanical problem at that stage can determine the result.

"Olivier, Jan and I like the Road Atlanta circuit, we've won Petit Le Mans for the last two years so, as at Le Mans 2006, we're going for our hat-trick of victories.  As well as the Aston Martins, our team mates in the No.3 Corvette will also be going for the top step of the podium, so a great race is in prospect.

"The championship position is very tight as well.  After our second place at Mosport, Olivier and I have an 18 point lead in the GT1 driver's standings over Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell and Tomas Enge.  With this race and the one at Laguna Seca to go it's all to play for."

Oliver has recorded a podcast previewing Petit Le Mans which can be accessed by clicking here.  It's also available on iTunes.

The race starts on Saturday at 11.45 local time.  The race will be shown in the UK on Motors TV starting at 16.30.  There is radio coverage and live timing and scoring available at www.americanlemans.com.  We will also be covering the event as much as possible on Oliver's website.