After months of preparation and planning, DXDT Racing will debut the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R when drivers Scott Smithson and Bryan Sellers compete in this weekend’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS event at Sebring International Raceway.
Sporting the No. 08 that has become synonymous with Smithson and Sellers in recent years and competing in the Pro-Am class, the green flag in Race 1 will mark the car’s first appearance in global SRO competition.
Alongside the FENEX-branded No. 08, longtime Corvette factory driver Tommy Milner and Alec Udell will join the team in the No. 63 KÜHL Corvette Z06 GT3.R Pro class entry at the following round at Circuit of The Americas in Austin on May 17-19.
Milner – who joined Corvette in 2011 – brings a wealth of experience and a history of success to DXDT. He has twice won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and also claimed multiple IMSA championships with the marque. Having helped develop the Z06 GT3.R - based on the eighth-generation Corvette Z06 supercar - he also comes to the team with an innate understanding of the car, which will pay dividends on both sides of the garage.
While a newcomer to the Corvette platform, Udell joins the team with plenty of experience in mid-engined sports cars. Udell, the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge GT Cup Champion, returns to the GT World Challenge paddock after a couple of years of racing in the IMSA GTD class, which saw him capture three podiums – including an impressive third-place finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring – in 2023.
“We are proud to see DXDT Racing debut the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in GT World Challenge America,” said Corvette Z06 GT3.R Program Manager Christie Bagne. “The anticipation for this first race has been building since our initial announcement at the Indy 8 Hour last year and we’re looking forward to the green flag at Sebring. The collaboration between the DXDT Racing team and Corvette Customer Support is strong and the team has been in lockstep with us to benefit from the learnings from our IMSA and WEC programs.”
“I'm just super excited,” said Team Principal David Askew. “When the opportunity was coming into focus and we were able to get the deal with them, I knew it was going to be daunting and there was a lot of work we would have to do. But, the team stepped up, and they've been doing a lot of work even before we got the cars. I'm just really looking forward to working with one of the best teams in the world in Corvette Racing. They've made pretty much all of their resources available to us, and we're going to take advantage of that. Their equipment, their know-how, their people, they're all stepping up to help us, and I'm just super excited to be a part of it.”
You can catch the Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s debut this weekend at Sebring, with practice starting on Friday, May 3rd, followed by Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 of the weekend on Sunday. For more updates, follow DXDT Racing’s social media channels and watch along for free on GT World Challenge’s YouTube channel, which can be found at www.youtube.com/@GTWorld.
FROM THE DRIVERS
Scott Smithson, No.08
“I'm super excited, and naturally a little nervous too. It's totally new for me. I've never raced in a mid-engined car, so it's a brand new experience for me with the Corvette. With that said, our first test went really well a couple weeks ago and I felt at home pretty early on. I'm super excited for the rest of the season and to see what we can accomplish together!”
Bryan Sellers, No. 08
“First you have to say, Mercedes has been a great partner for many years and I'm super thankful for that partnership. But, as time goes on, there's a point in time that you have to look for something else and I think we're all super excited for the future and for this new partnership with Corvette. We want to see what that brings and how that builds. Personally, you're always excited to get in a new car and see something new, see something fancy. Corvette will be the newest of the GT3 cars currently and that brings a lot of excitement—a lot of noise around the paddock and around the program. We're all super ready to get our hands on it and really see what we can do with that. We'll turn the page from a great partner to another great partner and I'm just thankful for both of them at the moment.”
Alec Udell, No. 63
“I’m really looking forward to driving with DXDT in GTWCA this season. David and Erin [Gahagan, Team Manager] have assembled a fantastic group of people. Investing in talented minds within the team and partnering with Pratt Miller and Corvette is no small feat. It’s a well-meshed group and it seems like they’re starting to hit their stride. Also, being able to learn from Tommy and Bryan is a huge plus, and I’m excited to soak up all the knowledge available. At the first test, I really enjoyed hopping into the Corvette Z06 GT3.R and getting into SRO with the car, I’m sure there’s competitive results coming. Having been in and out of SRO in the US and Europe over the years, it’s great to be a part of that story again!”
Tommy Milner, No. 63
“I can't wait to go racing with the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R with DXDT. David Askew and his team have been working very hard over the last few seasons to improve in all areas and this opportunity to make the final push to the top with the new Corvette is coming at the right time. We had a very good first test with the cars at Sebring and I'm looking forward to working with Alec, Bryan, Scott, and the rest of the team to make this a successful debut season for the Corvette.”
