A second shorter than the blink of a watch – a reminiscence for eternity. The legendary GTLM end on the 2016 Rolex 24 is popping ten years outdated. Motorsport.com spoke solely with Antonio Garcia, who narrowly misplaced out in a head-to-head duel together with his long-time teammate Oliver Gavin.
It was the proper end for Common Motors: Two yellow Corvette C7.Rs thundering side-by-side towards the end line at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. In the long run, the transponders declared Gavin within the #4 (Gavin/Milner/Faessler) was forward of Garcia’s #3 (Garcia/Magnussen/Rockenfeller) by a mere 0.034 seconds.
On the time, it was the closest end within the historical past of the race. It wasn’t eclipsed till 2023, when the LMP2 class victory was determined by 0.016 seconds. However it stays the closest end ever for the GT courses on the Rolex 24.Â
The second nonetheless haunts Garcia, however these days with a smile. Particularly once we requested him about it, the Spaniard loves telling the story. That wasn’t at all times the case, because the now 45 12 months outdated admits the slender defeat took a toll on him for months.
Allow them to race
Podium GTLM: Winner #4 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Marcel Fässler; 2nd #3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller; third #912 Porsche Group North America Porsche 911 RSR: Michael Christensen, Earl Bamber, Frédéric Makowiecki
Picture by: Alexander Trienitz
It was removed from a provided that this showdown may occur in any respect. In a world of workforce orders, Corvette Racing exhibited actual guts. Each Vettes had moved to the entrance of the GTLM discipline after the ultimate pit cease and checked out.
The race may simply have been frozen in that scenario. However Doug Feehan, the legendary Program Supervisor of Corvette Racing till 2020, let Gavin and Garcia race – beneath one strict situation.
“The one rule was we could not contact,” Garcia recalled. “As quickly as there was any contact, the race would have been frozen.”
“It wasn’t a simple resolution for them, particularly with all the large GM administrators there, and all they needed was a Corvette 1-2. However Doug satisfied everybody that he trusted us fully.”
For Garcia, the struggle was the climax of a livid comeback. Attributable to a gas cell challenge two hours earlier than the tip, the #3 automotive needed to make an additional cease. Garcia went on the assault, clawed again the deficit, and fought his manner onto the bumper of the main Gavin.
It was a battle between professionals. Absolute radio silence, simply man in opposition to man. “We each desperately needed to win,” Garcia stated. “The precedence was clearly the Corvette 1-2, however each of us completely needed it for ourselves.”
An iconic photograph
In the long run, the GM managers received greater than they may have dreamed of. They did not simply get the 1-2 end; they received a photograph end that was higher for advertising and marketing than any staged arrival may ever be. Two yellow Corvette C7.Rs, aspect by aspect. A picture that made historical past as a result of it was earned truthfully.
For the runner-up of that photograph end, nonetheless, it meant he wouldn’t be allowed to rapidly forge the loss. “I needed to signal that image a whole lot of instances,” the Spaniard admits.
“For years, that photograph was essentially the most requested merchandise at autograph classes. In fact, I used to be completely satisfied for the workforce, however I used to be the one who got here out second.”
For months, nearly a full 12 months, Garcia replayed the finale in his head: “You’re always pondering: What may I’ve achieved in a different way in Flip 1? The place ought to I’ve gotten on the gasoline earlier?” 34 milliseconds after 24 hours – the place precisely was the time misplaced?
Again on the highest step in 2021
#3 Corvette Racing Corvette C8.R, GTLM: Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor, Nicky Catsburg
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photographs
The impression of the end was evident a 12 months later at Le Mans. When Garcia and Gavin have been operating collectively earlier than the race weekend a French fan acknowledged them, jumped out of his automotive, and had that precise photograph of the Daytona end able to be signed.
Garcia couldn’t imagine it. “In the course of a sports activities session at 7 a.m.”, he laughed.
The wound from 2016 has since healed. Garcia took the GTLM win in 2021 alongside Nicky Catsburg and Jordan Taylor. “Each victory resets the method”, Garcia stated.
What stays is among the cleanest and most spectacular duels in endurance racing historical past and an iconic second for GM. “I’ve received this race on different events. So, in a manner, I’m glad at the moment to have been a part of that second, regardless that I completed second.”
Antonio Garcia had already received the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2009 (general) and 2015 (GTLM), however he did not totally settle the rating of 2016 till 2021.Â
His report in championships is much more spectacular: In 2025, he topped his profession together with his sixth IMSA title along with Alexander Sims within the GTD Professional class. All of his six titles have been received with Corvette.
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