Tragedy Strikes Corvette as Both Cars Retire at Le Mans

Both the #63 and #64 C8.R entries retire following mechanical trouble and a severe crash, crushing hopes for a class victory.

Corvette Racing left La Sarthe six hours early this year, following the devastating retirement of both GTE Pro C8.R entries. Corvette Racing called the #63 car, driven by Antonio Garcia, into the pits on lap 214. Following an examination of the rear-left, the car was deemed unsuitable to continue the race and retired. Not two hours later, tragedy struck once again, dashing their hopes entirely. The #64 car, driven by Tommy Milner, was sideswiped by a passing LMP2 car threading the needle between Milner’s Corvette and a third car on the Mulsanne Straight.

An Early Mechanical Retirement

In reference to the #63 car, the rear left presented suspension and brake problems earlier in the race. By the fifth hour, the car spent several minutes in the pits as teams rushed to change out all four brakes and overhaul the rear-left suspension. But as is plainly obvious by now, La Sarthe is a brutal track. Run partially on rough public roads, the track punishes cars with its high speeds, multitude of turns, and degrading bumps. While Corvette Racing issued no official word as to the cause of the retirement, speculation revolves around unseen mechanical issues relating to the issues at the left-rear. Whatever the cause may be, however, the retirement didn’t end Corvette Racing’s resolve, as they still had one good car. And that car ran hard and fast.

A Truly Brutal Morning

The #64 car chased the lead following its sister car’s retirement, battling the AF Ferrari prior to the accident. Corvette Racing openly desired to challenge reigning champ Porsche and rival Ferrari for the crown of best mid-engined GT car. And they seemed poised to do just that with an incredibly fast platform and reliable powertrain. However, a lot can happen in 24 hours. And ultimately the track decided that Corvette Racing was to be the next victim.

The incident occurred at approximately Hour 17, Minute 48. Tommy Milner chased the #51 AF Corse Ferrari onto the Mulsanne Straight with #83 AF Corse LMP2 car trailing. This car, driven by Francois Perrodo, was also in a battle against the #47 Algarve LMP2. With both battles for position going on, track space quickly narrowed as all four cars exited the right-hand chicane. What followed resulted in a massive heartbreak for Corvette, as the #64 car was struck by the passing LMP2 and slammed into the wall, disintegrating the front-left corner. Tommy Milner exited the car under his own power, visibly upset but otherwise thankfully okay. The team, however, was stunned beyond belief. Two hours ago, they had two cars looking for a win at Le Mans.

The shock to the system led managers, drivers, mechanics, and pit crew to break down in tears and hug one another for support. Not one team member spoke a word for minutes at a time in the paddocks as the people who poured blood, sweat, and tears into the cars watched in shock. Ultimately, people expressed frustration at the fact that the car was doing well, and that the accident wasn’t Milner’s fault.

As the at-fault LMP2 car entered the pits for a 3-minute penalty, driver Perrodo saw the footage for himself. He confessed to not knowing how bad the accident was, since the Corvette was in his blind spot. In an interview, he apologized and stated overwhelming guilt for the accident. That said, Corvette Racing harbors no ill-will towards the other drivers and remains hopeful for a solid return in the following races.

A Hopeful Return

This season presented a number of challenges for Corvette Racing, as 2022 is their first year at the World Endurance Championship with the C8.R. Balance of performance restrictions vary between different racing series; as such, modifications are required for any car coming from IMSA to WEC, and vice versa. With effectively a brand-new car in a new championship, the C8.R met with an unfortunate reality on June 12. But it’s certainly not an uncommon one. Throughout history, many of the winningest, most iconic race cars had rocky seasons. Whether due to mechanical issues or happenstance, no season ever goes perfectly. Bearing that in mind, the C8.R certainly has the right stuff to make a strong return to form in subsequent races.

The car cut its teeth in the 2020 IMSA season, securing 351 points for an overall GTLM win. As a platform, the car shows great promise in endurance racing, having successfully defended the championship in 2021 and making a return to the WEC this year. While it remains the newest car among the GTE Pros, it’s most definitely just as competitive. However, with only 40 points on the board after Le Mans, Corvette Racing has a massive hill to climb. By comparison, Porsche leads with 165 points, followed by Ferrari with 139 points. Of course, with 3 races remaining, Corvette’s not out of the fight just yet. WIth lessons learned and a competitive car, Corvette Racing’s bound to come back swinging come July 10th at Monza.

Screenshot taken from the Motortrend Livestream

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