Alexander Sims, driver of the #3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the GTD Pro class, confirmed that Mike Rockenfeller apologised for his opening lap contact during the IMSA Sportscar Weekend.
The GTD Pro winner of the previous Canadian Tire Motorsport Park round confirmed that the #64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports GT3 driver apologised for his mistake after he outbraked himself into Turn 3 and made contact with the #3 Corvette.
As a result, Sims was put into the gravel trap before track marshals assisted the British driver out to continue on his way at the back of the field.
“Rocky [Mike Rockenfeller] came and apologised,” said Sims.
“I know that there was nothing malicious in it.
“It was just a mistake, and we all make mistakes. That’s the way it goes.
“I have to give great credit to the Corvette, which held up pretty well for a decent hit.
“We had a little movement in the rear toe, and we could finish the race with it.
“Well done to the recovery crew to get me out of the gravel so quickly.
“That kept us on the lead lap and in the race.
“We came away with fifth which isn’t what you want after starting on the front row, but under the circumstances it could have been race over at that point.
“It was a good recovery. That’s racing, and we’ll go on to the next one.”
The #4 Corvette on pole held its ground on GTD Pro pole in the hands of Nicky Catsburg, doing their best after strategy did not fall their way with the timings of the caution periods, plus a slow pit stop.
Its #3 sibling started in P2 and was burdened but not out of the race after the incident.
Meanwhile, the #64 Ford Mustang suffered right-front suspension damage as the team were forced to conduct a repair job in which they replaced the lower control arm.
Tommy Milner (#4 Corvette) showcased the spirited pace of the mid-engined Corvette package during the race, as both GTD classes hosted a great deal of battles for track position regardless of class differentiation.
After the contact, the #3 Corvette gambled on an alternative fuel strategy although the car, like the #4, was not able to catch the distant top-three GTD Pro runners: Conquest Racing, Paul Miller Racing and Heart of Racing.
Sims and his teammate Antonio Garcia finished in fifth position as the #4 finished in sixth with Catsburg and Milner unable to convert their pole into a race win.
