The Chevy Corvette Z06 GT3.R proved its mettle on track in Qatar on Friday, March 1st, 2024, laying down a blistering lap time and snagging the pole position for the first time in the LMGT3 Hyperpole session.
Driver Tom Van Rompuy, in his debut FIA WEC event, steered the No. 81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R around Lusail International Circuit in 1:54:372 seconds at 105.944 mph. The forthcoming race is ‘Vette’s first with TF Sport, and Van Rompuy’s pole position makes Corvette the sole manufacturer to achieve pole positions in three GT classes. Additionally, Corvette now boasts five pole positions in WEC.
Van Rompuy will share the No. 81 Corvette with Charlie Eastwood and Rui Andrade during Saturday’s race, and they’ll have a clear track ahead of them when they take the green flag from the front.
“It’s a good thing this is on the screens because I otherwise I wouldn’t believe it,” Van Rompuy said. “It’s my first qualifying session in WEC. We’ve worked really hard this week to improve the car and improve ourselves. The team did a mega job, as did the guys at Corvette and Pratt Miller. In the end, we made it all work so this is a team effort. I could put a really good lap together, and I’m really amazed with this result.”
Meanwhile, TF Sport’s second entry, the No. 82 Corvette Z06 GT3.R driven by Hiroshi Koizumi, Sébastien Baud and Daniel Juncadella, will start 11th in class.
“This an absolute dream start with Corvette,” said Tom Ferrier, owner of TF Sport. “The race will be very long tomorrow, and that’s been our focus all week. It’s been a really busy winter trying to get everything ready.”
The 2024 Qatar 1812 Km will begin at 11 a.m. Arabian Standard Time (3 a.m. EST) on Saturday, March 2nd.
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Comments
Thank you Alexandra for the update. I set my DVR.
Love General Motors. ESPECIALLY CHEVROLET. THEY MAKE awesome vehicles.
Sadly the pole car only made it thru 1/4 of the race, retiring with a failed transmission. I guess to be expected.