Garcia: “It’s Our Time to Win” in High Stakes Detroit Street Fight

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Antonio Garcia believes it’s Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports’ “time to win” in Detroit after losing out to rivals Ford in last year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship street fight.

Defending GTD Pro champions Garcia and Alexander Sims enter Saturday’s race fifth in the class standings, still searching for their first class podium of the season, although teammates Nicky Catsburg and Tommy Milner lead the championship on the heels of third and second place finishes in the last two races, respectively.

While the No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R finished runner-up to the No. 64 Multimatic-run Ford Mustang GT3 of Seb Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller last year, in what came in a controlling run for the Ford duo, the Spaniard believes they have all of the ingredients for what would be a breakthrough first win for the Bow-Tie on the downtown street circuit.

“We’re looking forward to getting back there, for sure,” said Garcia. “And it’s time to win.

“Obviously in the last two years we raced there we only came away with a pole and a second last year, which coming from the back was a really good result for us.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Detroit underneath our headquarters and giving GM and Chevrolet the win for sure.”

When asked if the race brings extra pressure to the team, given they’re racing in GM’s backyard, Garcia said every executive from the Detroit brand looks forward to this race.

“So far, Corvette hasn’t managed to win here yet on this new racetrack or street circuit,” he said. “We came close last year. We were really strong both of the years, so, I see no reason to be somewhere else.

“I’m sure we will be fighting for a win, either the 3 or 4. That’s the target for sure.”

With neither the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar-bound drivers Priaulx and Rockenfeller part of Ford’s full season lineup this year, Chris Mies and Fred Vervisch, who won last time out at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, will be looking to fly the flag for the manufacturer.

It came after the No. 65 Mustang GT3 was forced to retire from last year’s Detroit race after multiple incidents.

“It’s also very important for Ford, for the people who work at Ford in Detroit [and] Dearborn, it’s all close by,” said Vervisch.

“I think there is pressure. Our teammates had a great race last year. For me, it was not the best memory, let’s say, like that!

“In quali, we were really strong and that’s very important on a street track to have the track position.

“I think the Corvette was very strong in the race, but then you still need to find a way to pass. So hopefully, we can have again a good quali and then see from there.”

Vervisch went as far to indicate that Priaulx and Rockenfeller’s class win last year ultimately helped them secure seats in Ford’s Hypercar program, showing how much could be at stake while racing on the manufacturer’s home turf.

“I do feel like last year when the sister car won, when Mike and Sebby won, it really helped them,” he said. “I think it really helped them and we all know they are now, let’s say, selected for the LMDh [program].

“I think it is probably more important than I would think it is important, because I approach every race the same. I want to win every race, if possible.

“There was a lot of buzz around that win, and it was a really deserved win. Probably the lesson would be for me to win as well together with Chris this year.”

Garcia, meanwhile, dismissed any direct rivalry between themselves and Ford.

“If you come up with a win, that means you won against everyone,” he said. “So, for sure it is important to beat everybody out there.

“It’s something that is more on everybody’s mind. Obviously, every manufacturer wants theirs to be up front.

“It probably feels more like a good football match where you have the biggest teams out there competing against each other. Let’s put it that way.

“It feels more like a big match or Super Bowl… big teams fighting against each other, so it is important for sure.”

Vervisch added: “I think that’s a really cool comparison, and at the end, yes, I think also, I mean, of course, you have Ford against Corvettes.

“It’s cool for the sport and I really appreciate Antonio and all the other drivers of the Corvette.

“I mean, there’s no big rivalry but of course, on track, we are the blues, they are the yellows and we want to be in front of them and I think that’s really cool.”

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