When the flag drops on the 24 Hours of LeMans today, one car that will not be in the running is the #63 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, which was slated to be driven by Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Ryan Briscoe. The Corvette was withdrawn from the race following a severe accident with Magnussen at the wheel during qualification runs on Thursday. According to reports, the throttle stuck as the Corvette was in the Porsche curves, causing a loss of control that put the car nose-first hard into the wall. This marks the first time Corvette Racing has been forced to withdraw an entry from LeMans.
The official statement from Corvette Racing: “The No. 63 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R of Corvette Racing drivers Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Ryan Briscoe, has been withdrawn from this weekend’s 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans following an accident during Thursday’s first qualifying session.
A mechanical issue resulted in Magnussen losing control of the car in the Porsche Curves, damaging the front and rear of the Corvette C7.R beyond immediate repair.
After having been helped from the car by the ACO medical crews, Magnussen was sent to the track’s medical center for the standard series of checks. The driver was given the all-clear by the ACO medical staff.”
