Huge GTD car count, first race for Z06 GT3.R adds to anticipation of this year’s event
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) – There is no discounting the challenges that Corvette Racing teams and drivers will face in this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. For many reasons, this year’s race looks to be one of the most thrilling and action-packed thanks to a full field of prototypes and GT cars – with Corvettes well-represented in the latter.
Four of the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecars are set for the start of Saturday’s season-opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Two are fielded by Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in GTD PRO with two additional Corvettes from AWA in the GTD class.
Between the two categories, there are 36 GT cars set for the Rolex 24 in addition to 23 prototypes – 10 in GTP and 13 in LMP2. So for those looking for storylines, there is the challenge of debuting a new racecar, the depth and quality of the GTD classes and overall grid, plus all the dicing and fighting between classes for track position over the course of 24 hours.
Never a group to back down, the collection of Corvette Racing factory drivers are embracing the challenge of what could be an epic Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend…
The Rolex 24 At Daytona is scheduled to go green at 1:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 27 with the race broadcast beginning on NBC. USA Network and Peacock also will air coverage throughout Saturday and Sunday.
DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“The race in this class will be really cool to see. Last year the GTD PRO class had at most races five cars. So with an unlucky incident for a couple of your competitors, you were on the podium. Now it’s hugely different with 13 cars, most of them that will be contention for the win. That will be very exciting for the fans but also us as drivers. We want to compete and want to beat the best. We don’t want to have it easy. It’s going to be very exciting with some of the new cars. We have the new Z06 GT3.R, of course, and there is a new Ford too. That’s exciting for any American fan to have both big brands fighting it out.”
TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“When you look at just GTD PRO, the class is quite large compared to previous years. There are lots of very good cars, very good teams and drivers. Winning our class is a really big challenge. If you look at all the GT cars together, there are GTD driver lineups that are very good. You may have an amateur driver out there who may be off the pace, but the other guys are awfully quick. We will mostly likely spend the majority of 24 hours racing a GT car – whether it’s a GTD PRO class car or not. I know it’s frustrating for some guys, but for me I like the fact that there are 25 to 30 GT cars. There isn’t a winner for the overall GT category, but it’s bragging rights for the GTD guys if they can say that they won GT overall. It’s going to be a big fight for 24 hours; there’s no question about it. But I’m looking forward to it all and looking forward to racing some old friends very hard and some new faces pretty hard, too.”
EARL BAMBER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“It’s the sheer competitiveness. I think, first of all, the big challenge for all of us is we are coming to a category of GTD PRO and GT that is highly competitive. You look up and down the pit lane, there’s Daytona 24-Hour winners, Le Mans winners, World Champions, there’s past IMSA champions… For Corvette to bring a new car here is a big, big challenge. But, I think, the Pratt Miller guys are up to that challenge. They’ve built a great car and a great platform, and I’m just excited to go out and finally race. After all of the testing, and all of the prep work, to finally see where everyone shapes up against each other is going to be cool.”
ALEX LYNN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“I find that in 24-hour racing, you’re constantly chasing perfection, especially within a brand like Corvette. If we’re very honest, winning is what we want. We haven’t come here for anything less. To arrive at that point, it takes so many factors to go right. It’s also about teamwork and every single team member doing their job to arrive on Sunday afternoon with a chance to fight for the win. If you do all the steps, you’ll more than likely have a chance. But arriving at that point is the hardest bit. You’re ticking off boxes as the week and the race goes along.
“With the amount of talent in the cockpits and crews, it’s getting ramped up and up and up. Manufacturers are bringing brand new cars, ourselves included. The work rate and effort to prove the product and us as a team is getting harder and harder and harder. But to be honest, that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning to win races like this. I know every crew member is the same. You’re asking more of each and every crew member every day. Tomorrow and Friday is about the same things: keep building and sharpening that tool that we have in the car so we can arrive Sunday afternoon with a chance.”
NICO VARRONE, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“For me, it will be different because now we are in GTD instead of LMP3. Between GTD and GTD PRO, it’s the same regulations and we have 35 cars across the two GT classes. The racing will be very close with the draft and using of slipstreams along the banking. It will be a close battle for 24 hours, and there will be a lot of battles. The key will be staying on the lead lap for the first many hours because you can gain position during caution periods. The goal is to arrive with four hours to go in the best possible position. Those will be flat-out to the end of the race. We’ll work from there to see where we can end up.”
CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“It’s a huge number of GTD cars in this year’s race. It’s a tricky balance for us because the LMP2s aren’t so fast on the straights. In GTE or GTLM racing, we didn’t have ABS and now we do with these GT3 cars. Especially when it’s cold, we are braking later than the prototypes. It makes the traffic really challenging, and I think it’s the same case for them. They’re fighting really hard to pass us, but it’s all about timing all of that. Then when you throw in 35 GTD cars that we have to stay ahead of, it’s going to be a challenge coming into the last few hours.”
Source:
Corvette Racing at Chevrolet
Related:
Corvette Racing at Daytona: Rolex 24 Qualifying Report
Corvette Racing at Daytona: It’s a New Era!
[PICS] AWA Racing Takes Delivery of Two Special Corvettes
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Still getting used to this race now before Sebring. Will be interesting to see a P car trying to pass a GT and having to wait!
Good luck Chevy Corvette Racing Pratt Miller Motor Sports & AWA Racing C8 Chevy Corvette Z06 GT3R drivers & crews. Go 1-2 in GTD Pro & GTD classes. Do Jake proud. USA! USA! USA!
Kind of of sad that there are 5 GTD cars starting ahead of the #3 car. The Lexus GTD Pro and GTD cars finished 2nd and 3rd in qualifying. Maybe a Corvette will finish on the podium as there are 4 cars in the GT field.
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