FACTORY driver Charlie Eastwood believes this weekend’s American round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) should play to the key strengths of Corvette Racing’s LMGT3 car.
So far this season, the Z06 GT3.R – for one reason or another – has failed to consistently challenge for class honours as rival manufacturer Porsche has stamped its authority on proceedings.
Last time out in Brazil, the potential for a year-best result was thwarted at the Six Hours of Sao Paulo when the number 81 machine was struck by one of the LMGT3 Porsches and spun off the track.
For Eastwood and his co-driving team-mates – Rui Andrade and Tom van Rompuy – the Circuit of the Americas in Texas resembles an opportunity to hit the reset button as they aim to wrap up their first campaign together on something of a high.
Motivation levels are greater than ever, according to the Belfast native, given that the Six Hour Lone Star Le Mans – which has been reinstated to the WEC calendar after a four-year hiatus – is the home fixture of Corvette Racing. Expectation levels are also going to be high trackside as large numbers of local supporters are expected to fill the stands.
“In general, it is a fantastic track and I think it will suit the car very well. Degradation will be key – in the middle of summer in Austin it is not going to be cool at all – so managing that from the outset will be important,” said Eastwood, a former class winner around a 3.41-mile circuit made famous for its elevation variations.
”I have fond memories of Circuit of the Americas. The last time we were there we won the race, which was a great result. It also was the very first place I got to drive the Z06 GT3.R a year ago in the heat of the summer which is what we are going to have throughout the course of race weekend.”
Eastwood added: “Brazil was not a great result but we showed some strong pace, which at the minute is what we need to show. We have got a bit of confidence going in and that is going to be super important.
“There is a lot of speed so tyre degradation will be high and as it is a really tricky track it is difficult to get the car fully hooked up. It is a very long lap with a lot of high-speed corners, so it will test both the car and the drivers. Hopefully we can put everything together and secure a good result.”
Sunday’s six-hour race goes live at 7am UK time, with a packed LMGT3 line-up including current points leaders Manthey (Porsche 911 GT3 RS), Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), United Autosports (McLaren 720s), Heart of Racing (Aston Martin AMR LMGT3) and AF Corse’s Ferrari 296 GT3. Before that, qualifying takes place at 9am UK time) on Saturday and concludes with the Hyperpole session.