Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia appraised the first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship win for the new-for-2024 Z06 GT3.R having taken the maiden wins for the former C7.R and C8.R GTLM cars.
The Spaniard is Corvette Racing’s current longest serving driver, having first driven with them in 2009 when he won his first at the 12 Hours of Sebring as part of the American Le Mans Series and his second consecutive Le Mans class-victory in the C6.R GT2 car.
He secured his 30th IMSA career victory in his 200th race start at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, leading a 1-2 for the General Motors outfit in the GTD Pro category.
“This is huge for the entire Corvette program,” he said.
“I’m glad that we could finally get the first win in IMSA for the Z06 GT3.R and to get my first win with Alex [Sims – his co-driver].
“We just need to carry on like this and build on the things we have been doing. More wins will come.
“This ranks pretty high in my career. I got the first win for C7.R and C8.R, so this is brilliant.
“I’m happy with that. I’m so happy for the team. We’ve been so close.
“The pace has been there all year but we just didn’t quite make it or had issues or we weren’t in the right position.
“We’ve been knocking on the door for a long time.”
The third and final caution period gave way for an intense fight for the GTD Pro victory, leaving just eight minutes for Garcia to fend off the sibling car – the #4 – with Nicky Catsburg at the wheel.
Both Corvettes fought for victory whilst lapping GTD traffic, as Catsburg demonstrated his eagerness to challenge Garcia without compromising the 1-2 formation which the team had.
This was important as Laurin Heinrich of the #77 AO Racing ‘Rexy’ Porsche 911 GT3.R lurked directly behind the battling pair.
“I thought about it right before the yellow,” he anticipated some form of late caution period.
“I think I was being gentle with the tyres that I had so I was able to push at the end.
“It was tough to be in the middle of the GTDs. They were fighting and we were fighting.
“But I was able to stay ahead of him. It was fantastic to bring a 1-2 for Corvette Racing.”
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