Barnicoat: Catsburg “Drove Me into The Wall” in GTD Pro Clash

Image: NBC Sports

Ben Barnicoat said the No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Nicky Catsburg “drove me into the wall” while battling for the GTD Pro class lead in Saturday’s Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Challenge.

The two drivers were running 1-2 in the race when they collided in Turn 3 with 45 minutes to go.

The contact, which spun Catsburg’s Corvette and left Barnicoat’s No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 with nose damage, knocked both cars out of a chance of victory, with the Englishman finishing second to the No. 77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R of Laurin Heinrich and Seb Priaulx.

IMSA race control made no further call after reviewing the incident.

“The 4 Corvette braked super early into Turn 3,” Barnicoat said.

“The gap was there, I went for it and then once I was in the gap I think he realized he braked too early, tried to cover me off and just drove me into the wall.

“Obviously, we hit him, dropped back a spot, and from that point I’m just very fortunate that we were able to finish the race.

“The car had a lot of damage, but we still showed fairly good pace and was able to hang onto P2 comfortably.

“Obviously, I’m sorry to the Vasser Sullivan guys that the car is scraped up, but I’m very happy with a P2 finish and good points.”

Catsburg, meanwhile, believed that the No. 4 Corvette “deserved more” after a race-leading performance from the start of the 100-minute race.

The class pole-sitting No. 3 Corvette of Antonio Garcia pitted on the opening lap with alternator issues, handing the lead to Catsburg’s co-driver Tommy Milner

“In my case, I guess I should have known that the 14 was going to send it the way he did and should have anticipated it,” Catsburg said.

“Some other issues we had in regards to tire pressure could have been avoided as well.

“I think we deserved more. We had a fast car.

“I feel like we deserved to come away with an awesome result in our home race. It didn’t work, but it never really helps to blame everyone and everything around you.

“We can look in the mirror and try to be better next time.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John