Corvette Racing caps off a 2022 Super Sebring Doubleheader
Corvette Racing caps off a 2022 Super Sebring Doubleheader by winning the IMSA 12 Hours on Saturday March 19; and a day earlier by taking 2nd in the WEC 1000.
Antonio Garcia in the Corvette Racing Team # 3 C8.R took the checkered flag just ahead of the oncoming # 63 TR3 Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo of Marco Mapelli.
Completing 506 laps (1,893 miles), the C8.R Corvette chalked up its first win in IMSA’s GTD Pro class. Winning on just their second time out is remarkable, given the number of conditions imposed under a special waiver to conform to GT3 specs.
The main differences under IMSA’s new GT3 Pro class from last year’s GTLM class call for more weight 60 kg (132 pounds); restricted airflow (15% less power); smaller fuel capacity (by 10 liters and 8 liters less than all others), a-b-s braking and other changes.
Garcia starting 3rd pulled into the lead by the 2nd hour; followed with stints by Jordan Taylor and then Nicky Catsburg battling side-by-side with Daytona winner Matt Campbell in the # 9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche.
While it was harder to test & bench-line set-ups with only a one-car team, smart strategy, flawless pit stops and luck kept them ahead of trouble that can happen all too often in re-starts.
Their closest competition was the completely new BMW M4 twin turbo six that luckily dropped out with driveline and engine troubles.
The Corvette Racing Team put in an incredible 51,000 miles of testing under all kinds of conditions to literally come to grips with the customer spec Michelin tires required by the rules.
Jordan Taylor explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOgFo27Znl8
They also received a power boost after Thursday practice even though the lack of high-end straight-line speed was less a factor than at Daytona.
Video includes race recap courtesy of Mobil1
The first of 12 Sebring wins in the Corvette Racing Team “modern era” started with Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell and Oliver Gavin in 2002.
There are 23 wins in total, the first in 1956 with John Fitch followed by Dick Thompson in 1957.
Followed by privateers Delmo Johnson, Grady Davis, Roger Penske, Dave Morgan, Don Yenko, 1971 Tony DeLorenzo (photo), John Greenwood, 1972 Dave Heinz (photo),
and 1988 Wally Dallenbach Jr.
With these and a host of other Corvettes over the years, it is no wonder that Sebring is “the crucible” of Corvette racing.
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