Outcome at IMSA Detroit almost too Painful for words

An outside reporter like us needs to tell it like it was and let things sink in before moving on to the next race and a chance for redemption at the six hours at Watkins Glen.

It was a terrific job by the Pratt & Miller team to grab the pole as well as to lock out the front row.

It looked even better on a tight street circuit around GM Ren Cen HQ on which passing is especially tough.

It quickly became painful when the # 3 car outright quit forcing pole-sitter Antonio Garcia to pit before completing a single lap.

It was rather embarrassing to fail in front of home town fans for a stellar company that builds the world class Z06 GT3.R and serves as a mentor to other teams.

As the minutes slipped away trying to figure out what went wrong and then swap out a faulty alternator, the # 3 Corvette fell back 15 laps, finishing 10th behind the # 77 Porsche 911 (992) GT3.R known as “Rexy” that inherited the lead.

Meanwhile, fans cheered Tommy Milner in the # 4 as he held off the pack before ordered to pit, top up and switch drivers 40 minutes into 100-minute race.

Traffic jams and re-starts allowed Ben Barnicoat in the # 14 Lexus RC F GT3 to close the gap on Nicky Catsburg.

Entering the hairpin turn, Barnicoat punted Catsburg into the wall, at least to us casual viewers; but on further review, IMSA race officials faulted Catsburg for blocking in the braking zone.

The time lost to replace a new front clip set the # 4 Corvette 5 laps back to finish 9th.

Video THE SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF DETROIT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTvb6esxqiQ 

Corvette fans have cheered their favorites on the streets of Detroit going back to the 1989 Corvette Challenge Race.

Photo credits Richard Prince, Wes Wong.