Both Corvette Racing entries fielded by Pratt Miller Motorsports fell short in Detroit on June 1st, 2024, finishing ninth and 10th in the GTD Pro class. The result was disappointing for the two Corvette Z06 GT3.R race cars, who started the weekend strong but couldn’t carry that momentum through to the end.
Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg shared driving duties behind the wheel of the No. 4 Corvette, while Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims drove the No. 3 Corvette. Starting from the front row, the race quickly went south for both of them. Garcia had to return to the pits at the end of the first lap as his No. 3 Corvette suffered an issue with its alternator, and by the time he rejoined the field, he was already well off the pace.
The No. 4 Corvette took off strong, but unfortunately, Catsburg was spun from the lead on the backstretch late in the race, thanks to contact with the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 of Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat. The race car sustained minor damage, and while it was able to continue on, it had lost too much ground to make up by the time the checkered flag waved.
“Not the day we wanted,” Garcia said. “The most difficult part of the race was the start with all the GTPs and GTD Pros together. But we got through it 1-2, which is what we wanted. To me, that was 50 percent of the race. But then, to be called into the pits, I couldn’t believe it. A very tough and cruel day for us.”
Meanwhile, Catsburg lamented his crash, saying, “I would say that we didn’t get the result we deserved. But we also have to look at ourselves and be better. In my case, I guess I should have known that the 14 was going to send it the way he did and should have anticipated it. Some other issues we had in regards to tire pressure could have been avoided as well.”
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Can we all please agree that racing on city streets is RIDICULOUS. Seriously, it is. There is a plethora of fantastic "racing" venues coast to coast and streets are not intended to be raced on.. it was a horrible race..
To me it sounds like it was a successful day. They started out strong and probably would have won if it wasn't for contact.
Another embarrassing weekend for Chevy ------- they sponsor the weekend, then lose, and give Honda the first four finishing spots. Seems Honda kicks their butt most years in Detroit. Maybe they should quit sponsoring!
Totally agree with Marty's comment regards racing on city streets. Just look at the Indy car race on Sunday ... scheduled for 100 laps, 48 were under Yellow Flag. A total disaster. The Detroit race looked like it was through Detroit's industrial area.
Racing on city streets ... just about every corner is blind going into it. And should a driver suddenly come upon a wreck, no run off area. It is like racing in a 1.7 miles and 9 turns tunnel. What could possibly go wrong?!
I disagree with Terry, however. Another electric issue, this time an alternator. I would presume starter motors and alternators are a carry over from prior machines, not new to this Z06 GT3.R, so why is PM having issues?
The #4 Corvette was faster than all the other competitors, at least in Tommy's hands, Tommy having built up a 30 second lead at one point before a Yellow Flag. Nick could have conceded that corner and past the Lexus later. It's not like Nick didn't know the Lexus was there.
Should have had at least the #4 on the podium.
Given starting P1 and P2 in GTD-Pro, and clearly the class of the field, a disappointing result.
On to Watkins Glen in two [2] weeks, a real race track! See you all in the Corvette Corral.
Nice qualifying for both cars, followed by a terrible race. Bad luck for the 3 car. Interesting that they didn't see any signs of a problem until lap 1. I guess that stuff happens, but it's a heartbreaker. Poor driving did in the 4 car. Interesting line that the Lexus was taking for that turn, I'm not sure what the ultimate plan was. It appeared to me that either the Corvette was slow in the braking zone or the Lexus was making a banzai attempt at the turn. In any case, trying to pinch the Lexus was a bad idea.
If I remember correctly the Corvettes were 1 and 2 on the grid for Monterrey as well, with somewhat similar results. It will be interesting to see them run a clean race in order to get an idea of where the cars are with respect to having effective race pace.