Robert Wickens Ready for WeatherTech Championship GTD Move in 2025
Robert Wickens is set to join the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) category, driving a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with DXDT Racing. This move marks a significant milestone in his racing career following his successful stint in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series.
Robert Wickens in racing wheelchair
The transition has been made possible by Bosch's innovative brake-by-wire system, which was first implemented in the BHA Elantra for the Indianapolis round of Michelin Pilot Challenge. This technology addresses one of the main challenges Wickens faced in advancing his career - the need for specialized hand controls in racing vehicles.
Wickens will compete in the sprint rounds of the WeatherTech Championship, with his debut scheduled for Long Beach - a track he previously raced in IndyCar. While the car is still in development, Bosch and Pratt Miller are working to create a specially homologated version of the Z06 GT3.R with customized controls.
Key developments include:
- Initial simulator testing planned for coming weeks
- First straightline test scheduled for January near Daytona
- Performance testing set for late February to March
- Custom-designed steering wheel and hand controls in production
The 2023 IMPC TCR champion acknowledges the significant support from Bryan Herta Autosport, Sean Jones, and Hyundai in his return to racing. He's particularly excited about returning to rear-wheel-drive racing, believing it may better suit his driving style with hand controls.
While waiting for his racing debut, Wickens plans to attend the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway to learn about his new team, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and the series dynamics. This move to the WeatherTech Championship represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream and marks another milestone in his inspiring racing journey.