The all-new GT3.R showed its mettle at the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race.
While not the top-tier podium finish the Corvette faithful have grown accustomed to seeing, the race did lay the groundwork for the upcoming race season. Still, the No. 3 team finished in fifth among 36 entries from 11 manufacturers.
Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, and Daniel Juncadell piloted their No. 3 Oshkosh/Mobil 1 Z06 GT3.R to the top of their class for 118 of the 773 laps. Considering the number of cars in the GTD Pro class, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
The No. 4. trio of Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, and Earl Bamber also led the pack for 38 laps. Unfortunately, the No. 3 experienced a cracked oil tank, and the No.4 had to replace a power steering pump late in the race.
To their credit, both Pratt & Miller entrants came back to finish the grueling race.
On the amateur side of the GTD class, the Canadian-based AWA team didn’t fare as well. Their No.13 went out with a power steering issue, and their No. 17 developed electrical gremlins, putting them out of the race.
Even with all that said, we’re quietly optimistic about future podium finishes. The GT3.R always seemed to have the speed and handling to be a contender throughout the 24-hour race.
That bodes well because they have a full dance card this year. IMSA, the FIA World Endurance Championship, and GT World Challenge America events are all on the schedule.
Passing The Torch
2024 brings with it the well-publicized passing of the ceremonial torch. Corvette moves from a factory-sponsored race team to G.M. providing support for a handful of carefully vetted private teams.
Of course, Pratt and Miller Motorsports is the most well-known among these privateers. Decades of working hand in glove with Chevrolet have produced a culture that knows how to build winning race cars.
Under the banner of “Corvette Racing with Pratt Miller Motorsports,” this team will handle the GT Daytona Pro duties at IMSA events. Canadian-based AWA will handle the amateur side of IMSA Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class racing.
TF Sport will campaign the Z06 GT3.R this year at FIA World Endurance Championship events in the LMGT3 category.
Tom Ferrier and his successful TF Sport team have won five British GT titles and international titles in GT3, GTE, and LMP2. They also have 2020 and 2022 class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
DXDT Racing, led by team principal David Askew, will campaign the all-new GT3.R Corvette in the Stéphane Ratel Organization (SRO) series of events.
Proven Pedigree
Granted, we don’t have a Corvette factory team carving up the corners this year. What we do have, though, is a proven pedigree stretching over 20 years of bringing home shiny hardware.
Since the late 1990s, no team in IMSA history has won more races or championships than Corvette Racing. Try these numbers on for size: 122 race victories worldwide, including 113 in IMSA-sanctioned races.
14 Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships combined with 15 team titles round out the noteworthy listings in the record books.
While the 2024 edition of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona didn’t add to our trophy haul, it is just a matter of time.
FastCarPhotos
A special thank you goes to our good friends at FastCarPhotos for sharing these stunning Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona photos. If you’re looking for racing photos to add to your personal collection, you should visit their site.
Our readers will remember FastCarPhoto from our article Kurt Roussell Keeps The Racing Action In Focus and Coverage Of The Roar Before The Rolex 24 Hour.
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