Tommy Milner is a long way from his Leesburg, Va., home. And before he even begins his journey back to the area, he’s going to have a heck of a long drive.
Milner, a D.C. native who races in the American Le Mans Series, will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France — perhaps the world’s most famous automotive endurance race — for the third straight year.
He is the lead driver for Team Corvette and will be joined by fellow Chevy factory drivers Olivier Beretta of Monte Carlo and Antonio Garcia of Spain in driving one of the hottest cars in the Grand Touring class (GTE).
The race starts Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on Speed.
JW » How did a kid who grew up in the heart of NASCAR country become one of the hottest young drivers in sports car racing?
Milner » Well, it started with my father, Tom Milner, who spent many years as an engineer and a sports car team owner for BMW, Porsche and now he runs the Panoz Team PTG. So I guess you could say that this is the family business. I of course knew about NASCAR and have many friends who are involved in the stock car racing, but for me I have always dreamed of being part of the American Le Mans Series and driving sports cars.
JW » At 25, you have an impressive resume in the American Le Mans Series.
Milner » Well, I paid my dues and worked hard, and my big break came two years ago when I started driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. I learned a great deal from Bobby Rahal about driving and how to make a car last for endurance racing. I drove one of their Porsches for two seasons on the AMLS, and it was awesome. Then came the call from Chevy to become a factory driver for Team Corvette, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
JW » So can you win Le Mans?
Milner » This is my third straight year running the race, and this is the best car I have ever come to France with. Thus far this season we have a third place in the GTE class in Sebring and a fifth-place finish in Long Beach. But we think Le Mans could be our race because we have the new Corvette C6.R, which is fast and durable, two things you need to win here. We know that we will be battling the best in the world from Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lotus, but 24 hours is a long time, and my teammates, Olivier and Garcia, have done well at Le Mans, so we do not lack confidence.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!, on washingtonexaminer.com.
