No. 4 Corvette Issue Leads to Multi-Car Pileup in Hour 3

Image: NBC

An apparent engine-related issue for the No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R has led to a multi-car accident in the third hour of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, impacting the pair of AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3s.

While running 1-2 in the GT Daytona class, both Townsend Bell and Kyle Kirkwood spun heading into Turn 17 due to fluids laid down by Oliver Gavin’s Corvette, which was seen smoking just moments before.

The incident also collected the No. 30 Team Hardpoint Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo of Rob Ferriol and Ryan Hardwick’s No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, although to a lesser degree.

Both Lexus entries sustained considerable damage with impacts into the barriers, with Bell able to bring his No. 12 car to the garage and Kirkwood’s No. 14 returning on a flatbed truck.

It has put a severe dent in Lexus’ hopes for the GTD manufacturers’ championship, as well as the drivers’ title for Aaron Telitz, who was only one point out of the lead at the time of the incident.

The race is now under its third full-course caution, led by the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi.V-R of Ryan Briscoe.

Earl Bamber leads GT Le Mans in the No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR-19, while Darren Turner has taken the class lead of GTD after the multi-car pileup with nine hours to go.

Drivetrain issues, meanwhile, for the No. 11 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo forced Richard Heistand to the garage after also previously leading in class.

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