3/19/2025
Wickens Turns First Laps with New Bosch System in Corvette at Sebring in No. 36 Corvette Z06 GT3.R
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Robert Wickens turned his first laps in the No. 36 Bosch/Mobil 1 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R on Tuesday at Sebring International Raceway and continues with a second full day of testing today. Equipped with Bosch’s state-of-the-art hand-control braking system, Wickens was delighted with his first laps.
“So far, so good,” he said. “I am acclimating quickly to the Corvette Z06 GT3.R., it’s a great race car. The Bosch system is delivering excellent performance. I’ve got a dream team behind me with Bosch, GM, Pratt & Miller and of course everyone David Askew and everyone at DXDT Racing, and now an outstanding co-driver, I couldn’t be more excited to race at Long Beach again.”
Two-time GTLM Champion Tommy Milner will co-drive the No. 36 Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Long Beach. Milner has a storied career with General Motors racing the Corvette, including two victories at Le Mans. He raced with DXDT in 2024 setting a GT World Challenge class record, winning eight consecutive races in the Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
Milner commented, “I’m really excited to join DXDT and Robert at Long Beach. This event presents a perfect combination of opportunities: reuniting with DXDT, supporting Rob in his Corvette debut, and returning to the Long Beach track.”
Milner familiarized himself with the Bosch system while completing straight-line tests with DXDT in January. The system features a button that activates the pedals for able-bodied drivers.
Wickens will make his debut in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the 50th anniversary of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 11-12. It will be his first time racing on a street circuit using hand controls. Wickens last competed at Long Beach in his INDYCAR rookie season in 2018. It will be his first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship start since he raced a Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) car in the 2017 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Wickens’ approach to life and racing changed forever when he suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident in August 2018. Despite his injuries, Wickens vowed to race again. 1258 days after his accident, Wickens returned to competition, now using his hands to steer, accelerate, shift, and brake.
His debut was a success, finishing third at Daytona in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Touring Car (TCR) class in 2022. Racing for Bryan Herta Autosport, Wickens went on to win three races, and earned 12 podium finishes and the 2023 series title, becoming the first driver to win a significant motorsports title in North America using hand controls.
In 2024 Bosch announced their collaboration with Wickens to design a state-of-the-art hand control system that would be compatible with various forms of racing platforms, allowing Wickens to return to the elite levels of professional racing.
