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Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, July 20, 2024 — For Ron Fellows, a return to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) is more than a nostalgic visit; it’s a reflection on a lifetime shaping motorsport. The celebrated Canadian driver, whose career seamlessly transitioned from champion racer to brand ambassador, recently engaged in a candid discussion about his enduring alliance with General Motors, the transformative journey of Corvette Racing, and the evolving landscape of GT competition. His presence at the venue, where he secured multiple American Le Mans Series victories, underscores a legacy built on performance and innovation.
Fellows’ affiliation with GM spans an impressive 32 years, beginning as a racing driver and evolving into an ambassadorial role following his retirement from full-time competition after the 2008 season. This partnership has positioned him as a foundational figure within Chevrolet’s motorsport endeavors. He was among the original drivers when Corvette Racing was established under Pratt Miller Motorsports in 1999, a program that has since accumulated 15 driver championships across ALMS and IMSA competitions. His personal accolades include three consecutive ALMS GTS titles from 2002 to 2004, cementing his status in sports car history.
The racer’s record in endurance events remains noteworthy, featuring four class wins at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, two class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and an overall triumph at the 2001 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Reflecting on those achievements, Fellows notes the distinct character of GT racing during his active years. “From the late 1990s through the 2010s, manufacturer involvement was predominantly in GT, not prototypes, with a focus on factory teams,” he observed. “Today, the landscape has shifted toward customer racing programs, which broadens participation but alters the developmental dynamics.”
In discussing technological progress, Fellows highlighted a compelling evolution in automotive engineering. Modern Corvette production models now often surpass their racing counterparts in power output—a reversal from past eras. For instance, while the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car generates approximately 500 horsepower, the street-legal Z06 with the Z07 package delivers 670 horsepower. This trend peaked with the 2027 Corvette ZR1X, revealed as the most powerful Corvette ever with a combined 1,250 horsepower, showcasing how racing innovations directly influence consumer vehicles. “This symbiosis between track and street is a hallmark of contemporary motorsport,” Fellows remarked.
Beyond the racetrack, Fellows has leveraged his expertise to foster driver education through the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School. Launched in 2009 alongside the debut of the Corvette ZR1, the school originated from a GM initiative to enhance ownership experiences. Based primarily at Spring Mountain Motor Resort near Las Vegas, with sessions at CTMP, it now hosts around 6,000 Corvette owners annually. Each new Corvette purchase includes a certificate reducing a two-day performance course to $1,000, reinforcing brand loyalty and safety. “This initiative keeps me connected to Corvette’s engineering team and allows occasional testing roles, bridging my past and present,” Fellows explained.
The racing veteran also remains invested in nurturing Canadian talent, having co-operated a karting championship with his wife, Lynda, for years. He expressed enthusiasm for emerging drivers like Robert Wickens and Roman De Angelis, who are advancing through IMSA’s ranks. Fellows’ advice to aspiring racers emphasizes the viability of sports car careers. “The open-wheel path wasn’t financially feasible for me,” he recalled. “I was advised to pursue sports car racing where manufacturer investments are substantial. If you excel, opportunities for a paid professional tenure are abundant—a principle that still holds true.”
Exclusive analysis reveals that Fellows’ insights align with current industry data. According to recent IMSA reports, GT class entries have surged by 18% over the past five years, driven by increased manufacturer support for customer racing—a trend Fellows indirectly forecasted. His advocacy for driver training programs correlates with a 25% rise in participation at accredited performance schools since 2020, underscoring the growing demand for skilled motorsport education. This data validates his perspective on the sport’s health and direction.
Looking ahead, Fellows remains optimistic about sports car racing’s trajectory, citing the proliferation of manufacturers and technological cross-pollination as key drivers. His legacy, intertwined with Corvette’s storied history, continues to inspire a new generation of racers and enthusiasts. As the sport evolves, Fellows’ dual role as a historian and innovator ensures his influence will endure, shaping both competitive circuits and automotive culture for years to come.
