ATLANTA — After announcing its entry into the SRO America series with a Ferrari 458 GT3 and driver Andy Pilgrim, SKI Autosports has added popular Corvette and Cadillac driver Johnny O’Connell to its driver roster.
O’Connell will campaign a Callaway LM GT Corvette for SKI Autosports in the annual 24-hour Historic SportsCar Racing event at Daytona Int’l Speedway in November.
“The Callaway LM GT is one of only three of these same race cars that Callaway Competition in Germany produced in 1994 and 1995,” said team owner Kent Hussey. “This particular car (chassis 95-003) has an interesting history racing in Europe and the U.S., including two Le Mans 24 Hour entries as well as an SCCA World Challenge Series Championship.”
The famous Callaway Corvette was acquired by Hussey in 2018 and has since undergone a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration in anticipation of re-entering competition in the U.S.
“We have not determined our entire schedule yet for 2022 with the Callaway car,” Hussey said. “However, we are looking to do some extensive testing before the Daytona event. Additionally, we are looking at other SVRA and HSR events to enter later this year.”
O’Connell’s decorated career includes 349 professional race starts, 76 wins and 32 pole positions.
Highlights have included four class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an overall victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2001, three American Le Mans Series championship wins and an amazing four consecutive Pirelli World Challenge titles.
“Andy is one of the best teammates I’ve had in racing,” O’Connell continued, “both Corvette and Cadillac. A world-class racer and great friend. I’m definitely excited about us both working together again.”