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In a landmark advancement for motorsports, Robert Wickens will debut a cutting-edge hand-control braking system developed by Bosch at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. This technology empowers Wickens, a Canadian driver who suffered a spinal cord injury in a 2018 INDYCAR crash, to race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD class. Driving a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with DXDT Racing, Wickens’ participation highlights a new era of accessibility and innovation in racing.
Key Highlights
- Wickens’ GTD Debut: Robert Wickens enters the IMSA GTD class using Bosch’s hand-control system.
- Advanced Technology: The system allows Wickens to race despite his spinal cord injury.
- Team Collaboration: Bosch, Chevrolet, DXDT Racing, and Pratt Miller united to integrate this technology.
- Class Transition: Wickens moves from TCR to GTD, piloting a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
- Accessibility Milestone: This debut showcases progress in making motorsports more inclusive.
Wickens’ return to racing is a story of resilience. After his 2018 injury, he competed in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR class from 2022 to 2024, securing multiple wins and a championship. His shift to the GTD class, a more competitive category, relies on Bosch’s hand-control system. Adapted from technology used in the Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) platform, it enables Wickens to control acceleration, braking, and gear shifting with his hands, replacing traditional foot pedals.
The system’s development involved extensive collaboration. Bosch Motorsport, with its century-long legacy in racing technology, partnered with Pratt Miller, Chevrolet, and DXDT Racing to tailor the Corvette Z06 GT3.R for Wickens. This effort ensures seamless operation, even allowing co-driver Tommy Milner to switch to pedal controls during the race, per IMSA rules.
This debut transcends personal achievement, signaling a broader impact. Wickens’ race in Long Beach, the first of five 2025 IMSA sprint rounds, underscores how technology can break barriers in motorsports.
For more details, visit Bosch Media Service.
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