As it will be good to have thee plucky Kuhnuck’
back in a major racing series…
This weekend sees the long awaited debut of
thee Young Wicky’, aka Robert Wickens in IMSA’s Grand Touring Daytona (GTD)
competition, behind the keyboard of the No. 36 DXDT Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
Wickens alongside General Motors “Hired Gun”
Tommy Milner tested the custom DXDT Vette’ at Sebring over two days back in March
at Sebring International Raceway. With Wickens noting He was leaning heavily on
Milner to learn the nuances of the Corvette, and wasn’t sure how long Milner
would put up with His onslaught of questions? Saying He’d be using Milner as a
sponge…
Arse-suming by now everybody knows of Wickens
horrendous and life altering IndyCar crash at Pocono in August, 2018, leaving
Him paralyzed from the waist-down.
As Wickens credits DXDT team owner David Askew
for taking a risk upon Him and making the project happen. Along with General
Motors getting onboard. As well as Pratt & Miller who fabricate the Z06
GT3.R racecars and Bosch who make His custom hand control driving ring work
with it’s electronic ‘fly-by-Wire” braking system.
Robby said He’s been having to learn to readapt
His driving style after racing the front wheel drive Hyundai Elantra in the
Michelin Pilot Challenge Touring Car championship. Having won the TCR (Touring
Car) title with co-driver Harry Gottsacker for Brian Herta Autosport (BHA) in
2023. The first major championship win for a Hand Controls adapted vehicle.
Wickens hasn’t competed at Long Beach since His
rookie IndyCar season for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2018. And hasn’t
contested an IMSA race since driving in the LMP2 category during the 2017 rolex
24…
Back to driving a rear wheel drive Saloons’
vehicle for the first time in awhile, which naturally is a different Beast vs.
the Dallara DW12 IndyCar He once piloted. Robby notes He was having to learn
how to utilize traction control, which He’s never used before. As Wickens
partnered with Bosch a year ago to design a bespoke hand control steering wheel
system that can be adopted to multiple racing series and different racing
makes. Allowing for Wickens and others, to not constantly have to relearn hand
control systems every time they race a different vehicle.
Wasn’t aware that Milner, who most recently
made waves by infamously giving BMW’s Agusto Farfus the universal “You’re No.
1” salute at Daytona, had raced for DXDT before. Winning an impressive eight
races in the GT World Challenge America championship in 2024. Finishing “Vice
Champion” George! Err runner-up in the Pro category with co-driver Alec Udell.
Robby and co-driver Milner are part of IMSA’s
“Twin bill” with IndyCar this weekend at “the Beach”, nee Acura Grand Prix of Long
Beach which is celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary.
The Long Beach weekend is covered on a
menagerie ‘O TV Networks beginning this afternoon at 3PM Pacific on (Fox
Sports) FS1, with IndyCar’s first practice.
Saturday sees IndyCa’s second practice on FS1
at 8:30AM. With Qualifying at 11:30AM on FS2. While IMSA’s 140mins race featuring
just IMSA GTP and GTD competitors airs on USA Network at 2PM.
Sunday’s IndyCar’s morning warm-up is at 9:00AM
on FS1, with the race airing on the
Flagship network FOX beginning at 1:30PM. While the command for Drivers, Start
your Engines! Is listed for 1:15PM, according to the LBGPA schedule.
All times Pacific and subject to change; as Y’all try looking up this dearth ‘O information on your sometimes not updated Zap-2-It TV Guide!
