Corvette Racing was unable to turn in the result they were looking for at Circuit of the Americas this weekend, finishing sixth and eighth at the Austin, Texas track after qualifying fourth and seventh. BMW Team RLL’s Dirk Werner and Bill Auberlen took the win, bumping Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia from second position in the GTLM standings.
Neither the No. 3 Corvette C7.R of Magnussen and Garcia or the No. 4 car of Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner were able to challenge for the lead Sunday. When the green flag waved, Milner was able to pick up one position to sixth at Turn 1, while Garcia attempted to make the pass for third. He was unable to complete the pass and slotted in behind the three Porsches.
While the Corvettes hovered mid-pack, drama was unfolding upfront for the three podium positions. The factory-backed No. 911 Porsche was in line to take yet another win, however it and the second place No. 912 sister car were both forced to stop for fuel with 5 minutes remaining, handing the lead over to the No. 25 BMW of Werner and Auberlen. The Ferrari 458 of Giancarlo Fisichella was then able to move into second, leaving the Porsches to fight over third position.
After suffering contact with a Prototype car moments prior, Patrick Pilet found himself under intense pressure from fellow Porsche driver Wolf Henzler. Pilet was able to defend the position, however not before he and Henzler traded blows, with Henzler moving into third twice, and Pilet taking it back both times. When the dust had settled, Pilet emerged victorious to take third.
Up next is the last race of the 2015 TUDOR United Sportscar Championship, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Corvette Racing’s strength is endurance events, so perhaps they can put an end to Porsche’s and BMW’s recent dominance in the series when the race goes green on October 3rd.
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