BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, Canada (July 7, 2019) – Corvette Racing arrived at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park hoping one of its most successful tracks would result in some badly needed winning momentum. Unfortunately, the team came up short in the effort for its 12th class victory at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Sunday.
The pair of Chevrolet Corvette C7.Rs finished seventh and eighth in the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Mobil 1 Sports Car Grand Prix. The No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette C7.R of Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen led Corvette Racing’s effort and remained in contention for their third straight GTLM Drivers’ Championship.
Oliver Gavin and Marcel Fässler were right behind in the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette C7.R. It was the first race for Fässler at CTMP, and finishing the race was a positive step forward. The No. 4 Corvette team suffered a crash six hours in at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on the opening lap of last week’s race at Watkins Glen.
The start looked promising, especially for the No. 3 Corvette. Magnussen picked up a spot at the start but the handling on the Corvettes went away quickly. Nevertheless, the Corvette Racing crews and engineers kept plugging away to try and optimize the setup on the two C7.Rs for the end of the race.
Two late caution periods tightened up the field but traffic impeded both Corvettes to the end.
The next event for Corvette Racing is the Northeast Grand Prix from Lime Rock Park on July 19-20.
ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R – FINISHED SEVENTH IN GTLM:
“That was not the race we wanted. We struggled with pace a lot and couldn’t make the car work. I’m not sure why yet but it is something we need to fix for Lime Rock. We will need a good result there to stay in the championship. But today was very disappointing. It’s one of the most frustrating weekends we have had in a long time. But we are confident that Corvette Racing can bounce back.”
JAN MAGNUSSEN, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R – FINISHED SEVENTH IN GTLM:
“Obviously I’m very disappointed with the result today. It’s pretty clear we missed something on the setup. At no point in the race did we have the pace to do anything with the rest of the field. We have to go home, think about this and come up with a solution for Lime Rock. This was a pretty big hit in the championship for us, unfortunately. We have some ground to make up.”
OLIVER GAVIN, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R – FINISHED EIGHTH IN GTLM:
“Today was tough for both cars at Corvette Racing. It was good we could actually finish a race; that’s been a really tough thing for us to do in the last two races. But it was very tough today. We were working away with the Corvette throughout the race to make it better. But we ultimately lacking pace. Both cars seemed to be struggling with the same thing. We’ll go back, analyze and assess to see where we can make it right for Lime Rock.”
MARCEL FÄSSLER, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R – FINISHED EIGHTH IN GTLM:
“Our expectations were certainly higher than the results show. We are certainly not-so-happy with where we finished. It’s disappointing because after (Friday afternoon’s) practice both cars were one-two. We had quite a good pace after all the practice sessions so we were wondering why we weren’t able to have that pace in the race. I caught bad traffic and lost a little bit to the front-runners, but caught up again and tried to stay close to them which we did until the pit stop. Unfortunately, we lost a little bit because the lap belt got caught in the seat during the driver change so we lost a little time. But truthfully it didn’t change the results much. It was a sad weekend for us. The upside for us is we have a car that is in one piece. But we are racers; we want more than a car in one piece…we want results.”
Source:
CorvetteRacing.com
Related:
Corvette Racing in Canada: Setting Up For Try at CTMP Win No. 12
IMSA Hangs 10KG of Weight on the Corvette C7.Rs in BoP Adjustment Ahead of CTMP
Corvette Racing in Canada: Familiar Ground for GTLM Contenders
Corvette Racing in Canada: Fässler to Fill In for Milner at CTMP
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I hate to put more of a damper on todays horrible results, but one has to start asking GM to what extent they take this program seriously. I fully understand that the C8.R is undoubtedly a focus of R&D, but nonetheless, this just isn’t cool.
The fact of the matter is simple- Porsche competes to WIN. If they happen to sell a street car as a result, so be it. BoP adjustments are obstacles that Porsche simply manages to negotiate way better than anybody else. To GM, if its not NASCAR, they really don’t care, as they do a pisspoor effort of promoting this and their IndyCar programs. To them, their focus is selling cars, and if they happen to win a race in the process, so be it. That is why we see Porsche winning everywhere, every weekend!
We all want to see Corvette at the forefront again. These guys need a break!!
Amen Brian,, Im getting to the point where Im going to see who all the winners are and that will be my next track car, on my 4th vette now and waiting or more news on the C8,, no rush yet for me
IMSA’s ridicules. “Balance of Politics”, keeps Corvette from showing its real potential
In reading the driver’s comments, I heard the same basic theme, “the setup wasn’t effective” and “we didn’t have pace”. So either the Corvette Racing team didn’t learn anything from the practice and qualifying sessions (doubtful) or there was something else. I have to suggest the BoP penalty as one cause. How do the Corvettes get penalized but the Porsches do not, despite winning the last 4 races? None of the drivers mentioned this. Political correctness? Fear of being censured or worse by IMSA or whomever? Taking the professional high road and not whining? I would be interested in others’ comments and opinions.
Have you taken note of how successful the C7R Team has been and how many championships they have won???
RichS,
Of course I have, I’ve been a Corvette Racing fan for years so I believe acknowledging their past success is implied when I said it was doubtful the engineers didn’t learn anything from practice or qualifying, IMO they’re that good. Rather than critique my comment, I’m interested in other’s incites into the reason for this race’s dismal experience. I suggested BoP as at least part of it but there may be other reasons that I’m not aware of.
Wow how shocking. 22lbs added to the car had an impact. BOP is BS!
Brian L, I think maybe you’re missing something here, about Porsche “negotiating” BOP better than anyone else?? Really? Porsche has won 5 consecutive races and had zero BOP adjustments, and probably should have been put on probation for taking out the #4 Corvette at Watkins Glen with a ridiculously optimistic (read foolish) move on THE FIRST LAP OF A 6 HOUR RACE. That and the fact that Porsche is currently running a car that they needed a loophole waiver in the rules to be legal to race, try going into a Porsche dealer and buying a mid-engine 911, the car doesn’t exist, except as a race car. The rules in GTLM state that “at least 500 examples must be built for street use”. And, while we’re talking BOP, Corvette has not won a race this season, yet they were the only car to get BOP’d before this race, with extra weight added, maybe someone can explain the reasoning behind that decision, because I find it hard to justify. What would really be nice is to see EVERY team in GTLM have a chance to win a race, not a “chosen” manufacturer, I have no problem seeing a Porsche, BMW or Ford winning a race, as long as it’s actually decided on the track, not by BOP manipulation.
BoP has kept the Corvettes competitive for the past couple of years. Corvette is on an aging chassis that the Corvette Racing Team squeezed out just about as much performance as they can. In many cases though it seems as if they have done this “in spite of” BoP. Where Corvette had been dominate. with win after win after win…during a season. The past couple of years have been through podium finish after podium finish with a win or 2 splashed in for good measure. It does appear so often that BoP practically chooses a victor before the race even begins. I also agree that Ford has been hurt the most this year with BoP.
With that said, and as a Corvette Racing Fan, I really wish they would abolish BoP. Yes, IMSA’s desired result of tighter racing between the cars is achieved…But I have to ask. Where does the improvement in the cars come from? For example, when Corvette first started getting back into racing with the C5’s, the Vipers were handing us out lunch. When we complained, the response was…”Tough…Build a better car…”. And so they did. And in 2005 the placed 6th overall at LeMans. And when others complained about our cars having an advantage by being pushrod…They were told that they could be pushrod too…just put one in your production cars (obviously they didn’t) But now…why would any of the teams try to improve something if BoP is only going to take that improvement away by hindering another aspect of the car???
We improved the car to beat the Vipers. Toyota and Porsche improved their cars to beat (or at least compete with) the Audis. And the customer was the one who benefited. Where would the industry be today? Would Carbon Ceramic Brakes be available for road cars? Would Anti Lock Brakes be as prevalent? Would LED lighting and hybrid technology be as much in use or as far as it is today? I miss the Audis at LeMans. And there is no one to blame but the Governing bodies and their over regulation.
I personally believe that the Ford GT and Porches should be in their own “Turbo” or “Forced Induction” Class. It think it foolish to think they can truly balance these cars with Naturally Aspirated vehicles. Porsche should be disqualified as they do not offer a mid-engined vehicle in their production lineup. The Ford GT has so much more performance that is being squashed by BoP. The Porsches are probably held back as well even though they seem to be getting help as compared to the rest of the class…perhaps a GT-P(rototype) class???
I would like to see some of the rules “regress(?)” to when it allowed more freedom to the Racing Teams. I believe they should take some of the restraints off of the GT Class. Allow the Carbon Ceramic Brakes (as long as a production car has them) eventually they are going to have to allow the hybrid systems in as they did in the Prototype classes. I would like to see them limit the numbers across the board (hp, fuel, weight, etc) but not necessarily how the teams get there. A team should not be penalized for developing a more efficient car that doesn’t need as many pit stops. A car should not be penalized for creating a smaller engine that produces the same hp.
I for one wish BoP would go away…even though my favorite team has benefitted in a small way because of them…If that means the Corvettes get stomped….so be it…because in the end we will only get a better production car from the process.
Thanks for the feedback by some here. I’m just a big Corvette fan, former ’77 owner and C8 owner to be, who is just all so frustrated to see our team struggling. I am absolutely stoked that the team has had a great record over the years, but I know that I am not the only one who is getting tired of Porsche always winning, no matter what’s thrown at them.
I am being hopeful that this great team’s bad luck streak can come to an end. Just look at Mazda. Nothing but bad luck over the years, and the manufacturer made the tough call to shake things up and now they have been quick all year and are now 2 for 2!
I have no reason to think that once the C8R gets the usual growing pains out of the way, that they will be up front every weekend. The fact that they have been testing now for almost a year with an entirely new chassis/aero/power package is indicative of that. They want to win, no doubt about that!
Here is to seeing the C7R head to pasture in style, while we welcome the new beast to the fray!!
“I have no reason to think that once the C8R gets the usual growing pains out of the way, that they will be up front every weekend.”
[Edit] I have no reason to think that once the C8R gets the usual growing pains out of the way, that they WON’T be up front every weekend.
A lot of interesting (perhaps misguided) commentary. I’m going to take Doug Fehan’s viewpoint on this, without BoP, you would not have multi-OEM GT racing, you’d end up with single manufacturer series.
BoP goes in cycles, I suspect you’ll see a Porsche adjustment coming. I’m not surprised Ford would be getting hurt by BOP, they owe us for all the shenanigans in earlier years and they’ve announced that they are leaving the series, so why hand them easy wins? Important to keep Porsche happy right now…
If you think the car frame / engine is what is making the difference in this series and what has driven the Corvette program’s success, you do not understand GT racing. Corvette wins because they have drivers (on average) that can squeeze just a bit more out of reasonably well balanced cars and a team behind those drivers that makes fewer mistakes on pit stops and strategy than other teams. That’s how Corvette wins and what you are trying to achieve with the series – better drivers , better teams, not advantaged cars drives series wins.
I can’t tell if Sean was being sarcastic or not, but it’s 22 lbs on BOP does make a difference and it’s BS that Corvette got penalized with it. It’s not like Corvette was running away from the field at Watkins Glen…
Just a few thoughts here, I too am a Corvette owner, a 2019 ZO6 coupe, but saying that I’m just a fan of good racing, not manipulated racing. The Ford GT is still in my opinion, the best car in GTLM, and they’ve been hit pretty hard by BOP, to basically slow them down to be in the same performance envelope as the rest. The Porsche, even though a non-production mid-engine version is NOT a forced induction car, but is in fact normally aspirated, and along with Corvette the only non-turbocharged cars in GTLM, and with the upcoming C8R the Porsche will likely be the ONLY non-turbo car in the class. Now with Ford, BMW, Ferrari and in the WEC, Aston Martin currently running turbos, and the new C8R most likely being a turbo as well, it makes equalization more difficult. I would also like to see a return to the “run what you brung” rather than the BOP method, if the other guys cars are faster, it’s up to you to make your cars competitive, if you don’t, that’s on you. The more tech introduced the more the cost skyrockets, I think that’s why we don’t see P1 cars in the US, and also why Toyota is basically competing against themselves in the WEC, the $$$ are in the 10’s of millions to run a full season. I’m definitely not a BOP fan either, and the way the BOP has been applied recently leaves many questions in my mind as to the reasoning behind the applied BOP.
I know that Corvette Racing has been testing the C8R for quite some time now, so hopefully by the time comes for Daytona in January the car will be well sorted and ready to race for the win, but there are no guarantees that IMSA won’t BOP that car to death as well, again witness the Ford GT, which won’t be a factory team next season, but I’m guessing there will be privateer teams racing Ford GT, the car is too good to not be racing any longer.
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