Catsburg Confirmed at Corvette for Endurance Races

Photo: BMW

Corvette Racing has confirmed Nicky Catsburg as the new endurance driver for the No. 3 Corvette C8.R in the long-distance WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As first revealed by Sportscar365, the 31-year-old Dutchman will join Antonio Garcia and newly minted full-season driver Jordan Taylor for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Motul Petit Le Mans as well as Le Mans, pending invite.

Catsburg has competed in a number of sports car racing series over the years, including the FIA GT1 World Championship in a Corvette C6.R and having tested the Corvette C7.R at Le Mans in 2016.

“I am extremely happy to be joining Corvette Racing,” Catsburg said. “Ever since I drove the Corvette C6.R in 2011 and the C7.R in 2016 at the Le Mans Test Day, I had this dream of one day joining the factory effort.

“Corvette is an iconic brand which has been showing great results throughout the years.

“I have always looked up to the team while racing against them in some of the IMSA races I did. The driver lineups have traditionally been extremely strong and consistent. To now be able to be a part of that makes me really proud.”

Catsburg will join the returning Marcel Fassler as endurance drivers for the Pratt & Miller-run factory squad.

“These additions give Corvette Racing a strong lineup for the top endurance races in the IMSA GTLM championship – Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president, Performance and Motorsports.

“The credentials of Nicky Catsburg and Marcel Fässler speak for themselves. They will be valuable members of the Corvette Racing team in 2020 with the new C8.R.”

Fassler returns for his fifth consecutive season with the team, having won Daytona and Sebring in 2016 alongside full-season drivers Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner. 

The Swiss ex-Audi LMP1 ace filled in for Milner at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Lime Rock Park earlier this year due to a hand injury.

“It’s great to have such a good relationship and teamwork within this program,” Fassler said. “It is one of the things that sets Corvette Racing apart from other teams.

“It’s exciting to be with Corvette Racing every year, but this one will be extra enjoyable with the new C8.R. My first laps in the mid-engine Corvette can’t come soon enough!”

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