Tag: Robert Wickens

Wickens’ dream fulfilled as the WeatherTech Championship awaits

Robert Wickens had a dream. His first run with Bryan Herta Autosport in a modified Hyundai Elantra N TCR more than three years ago turned that dream into a possibility. The new brake-by-wire system that Bosch developed and implemented on the BHA …

Robert Wickens had a dream. His first run with Bryan Herta Autosport in a modified Hyundai Elantra N TCR more than three years ago turned that dream into a possibility. The new brake-by-wire system that Bosch developed and implemented on the BHA Elantra for the Indianapolis round of Michelin Pilot Challenge threw the doors wide open. Now Wickens is ready to fulfill that dream as he moves to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) category with DXDT Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

“I’ve been wanting to move up into WeatherTech for quite some time – I felt like I was fairly transparent in that messaging – but it was always a difficult communication,” Wickens explained. “Trying to convince the OEMs or the team owners to, one, put me in the car like any other racing driver; and then say, ‘Oh, by the way, you have to design a whole braking system that doesn’t exist.’ So the fact that Bosch came to the table with with their technology, it’s already proving that it’s giving me the opportunities that I want in my career. Not only just in this next journey, moving up into the IMSA WeatherTech series, but we already raced it in the TCR category for the final two rounds of the Michelin Pilot challenge series with great success.”

As the 2023 IMPC TCR champ (with Harry Gottsacker) notes, budget has been a big obstacle into getting into another car. Developing a hand control system for a car isn’t exactly easy. The Bosch system, while not quite plug-and-play, clears many of the hurdles, especially as Bosch ABS systems are used in many GT3 cars – not to mention that the brake-by-wire system in the LMDh cars that make up the majority of GTP entries are Bosch as well.

Wickens hasn’t yet driven a Z06 GT3.R with the Bosch system installed, and indeed, such a beast doesn’t yet exist. He has seen a prototype model of the controls as they will be implemented in the car. The fact that Bosch and Pratt Miller, the builder of the Z06 GT3.R, are practically neighbors seems to be streamlining the process. Wickens has had a lot of input into the layout, and the car he drives will have its own special homologation to accommodate the system.

“This is going take some time, but we’re hoping to get on the driver-in-the-loop simulator in the coming weeks,” Wickens said of the timeline. “Then hopefully we can get our first straightline test sometime in January, in or around Daytona, with plans for our first on-track – call it performance – running in that late February to March timeline. So definitely up against the clock a little bit. But I know if anyone’s going to do it, it’s GM, Bosch and Pratt Miller. So I know I’m in good hands.

“It’s really cool to see the development, because it’s kind of starting from near nothing. I’ve been to Pratt Miller already. I saw the 3D-printed rapid production concept of the steering wheel and the hand controls and kind of fine tuning stuff. It’s tailor-made, really, so it’s a unique situation. Not many drivers can tailor-make their throttle and brake and everything to how they want unless you’re driving in Formula 1 or something, so it’s been a cool journey so far.”

Wickens will made his IMSA debut with DXDT, which is also entering its first year in the championship after moving across from GT World Challenge America. IMSA Photo

Since Wickens is doing only the sprint rounds of the WeatherTech Championship – those races of 2h40m or less – the timeline to get everything done is longer. Wickens is looking forward to making his debut in the Corvette at Long Beach, a track he raced in IndyCar, but hasn’t had the opportunity to drive since his accident. He expects the debut to be rough, but he’s excited to have it at a track where he will be among his IndyCar brethren.

“Having my season kick off in Long Beach is going to be a little bit of a baptism by fire for sure,” he laughed. “Why not learn IMSA WeatherTech racing at a track with no runoffs and walls everywhere? But the emotional journey of having my debut on a race weekend that we share with IndyCar is going to be pretty special, with my active role within Andretti Global that I still have, and there’s going to be a lot of friends around – old drivers, current drivers… it’s just going to be really cool to see. And I’m sure the support is going to be really, really nice. So the whole thing’s just going to be fun. Honestly, I think there’s definitely more excitement than nerves.”

Wickens is eagerly anticipating getting back into a rear-wheel-drive racecar. He thinks it may suit his driving style a bit better, noting that he often has to be later on the throttle than his teammates at corner exit because the first small percentages of throttle are difficult to apply with the hand controls. Too much throttle early in a front-drive car leads to wheelspin and understeer, so he’s found it easier to just delay throttle application. He thinks the Corvette might make easing onto the throttle with the hand controls a more effective proposition.

Wickens isn’t yet sure whether he will be returning to BHA and the IMPC TCR class for 2025, although he would certainly appreciate the extra track time. But he notes the contributions that program has made toward getting him where he is now.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without Bryan, Herta, Sean Jones and Hyundai,” he said. “Those were the key people that allowed me a chance to drive a racecar again, and frankly, lit the spark that I knew was never dead inside of me. It really just kind of got the whole thing started, and we had a very successful three years together. There’s nothing but great feelings. If our journey ends now, or if it can continue on to the future, we’ll have to see, but I think for now, we accomplished a lot of great things together in TCR.

“It would have been nice to get another championship – every driver wants to win every championship in every race – but I think to look back on my three seasons in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series and TCR, and to have such great results and consistency throughout, it was a great journey.”

Either way, Wickens expects to be at Daytona International Speedway for the Rolex 24. He plans to absorb as much knowledge about his new DXDT Racing team, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and the series as possible. And then awaiting his own turn behind the wheel of a GT3 car, something that seemed like only a dream a short time ago.

Wickens gets a brake with help from Bosch

A year on from a second-place finish in the TCR class of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for Robbie Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, they achieved the feat again with a key difference: Instead of Wickens needing to use all the force both hands could …

A year on from a second-place finish in the TCR class of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for Robbie Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, they achieved the feat again with a key difference: Instead of Wickens needing to use all the force both hands could provide to apply the brake, he could do it with one hand thanks to a new system from Bosch that borrows from the company’s LMDh technology.

Wickens, with a couple of different co-drivers, has won races and a championship in IMPC TCR since coming back from his paralysis sustained in an IndyCar crash. Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai worked to give him an Elantra N TCR with hand controls that he could race competitively. The same technology has been used to allow other paraplegic drivers to race, but it had some drawbacks. The brake control is a ring behind the steering wheel. Formerly, it activated the brake through a hydraulic actuator, and it required a significant amount of force to get the same brake pressure an able-bodied driver could get with their feet.

The new system, a collaboration between Bosch and Wickens, uses Bosch’s existing electronic brake system module as used in the LMDh cars.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1406]

“From a competitive aspect, I think it’s a big step forward in my journey,” said Wickens. “It’s definitely taken some getting used to primarily because I’ve adapted my braking techniques in this TCR car. I’ve only driven the TCR car with that braking system, so having to kind of re-learn how I apply the brake has been a bit of a challenge, and in relatively short time; but, honestly, it feels great. So far, it’s doing everything I want it to do, and with no latencies, no surprises, like I’ve had in the past.”

For the engineers at Bosch, it was an exciting project to develop. And while the system uses existing technology, adapting it to a new purpose wasn’t necessarily easy.

“We approached it the same way we would even on a road car, going through all those diagnostic checks, doing the safety, and approaching it from a complete system,” explained Jordan Krell, senior application engineer at Bosch. “We were able to take a lot of our technology from the road car perspective, but then also in all of our pieces from motorsport. There are a lot of components in this that are from the LMDh system, and so they’re already race proven, but now we’re putting them in a new application. So it was a little tricky to make all of that work, and for us, it took a lot of teamwork. We have a really dedicated team at Bosch motorsport. It was the most exciting project that everyone wanted to work on.”

The system not only requires less force from Wickens, it removes some competitive disadvantages that he and his co-drivers faced. Able-bodied drivers have no problem braking and downshifting at the same time. Other drivers don’t have to work around an actuator in the middle of the pedal box during driver changes. It’s a big improvement over the previous system, although it’s not yet perfect.

“With the previous system, I was braking with both my hands because, frankly, I had to to achieve peak brake pressure,” Wickens said. “Where now with the electronic system, I can just use one hand. Now I have my left hand free to downshift whenever I want. Relearning just using one hand instead of both has been unique. But then there’s little things like trying to increase a bit of travel in the brake system and maybe change a bit of resistance, just to give me a little bit more feel in my medium- to low-brake applications as well as my trail braking.”

Wickens says he hopes that the system will provide more opportunities for himself – the technology is much easier to transfer from car to car – and help him get back to the next level of motorsport, such as competing int eh WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. But he also hopes that it helps create opportunities for others.

“I think the big thing is, and the goal from all this is, we’re trying to create equal opportunity for unabled-body drivers, even if I include myself,” he said. “I think with what I’ve done in my career, hopefully I can hold my head up high and created an easier path for the next generation of disabled motorsport athletes trying to find their way to the highest levels of motorsport.”

Wickens makes open-wheel return with Portland Formula E drive

Robert Wickens will return to the cockpit of an open-wheel racing car this weekend when he samples GEN3 Formula E machinery at the Portland E-Prix. The Canadian was paralyzed in a crash at Pocono during his maiden IndyCar campaign in 2018, but has …

Robert Wickens will return to the cockpit of an open-wheel racing car this weekend when he samples GEN3 Formula E machinery at the Portland E-Prix.

The Canadian was paralyzed in a crash at Pocono during his maiden IndyCar campaign in 2018, but has been racing Hyundai touring cars in the TCR class of the Michelin Pilot Challenge since 2022. His brief run in the Formula E car will mark the first time he has driven an open wheeler since his crash.

[lawrence-related id=316675]

“I’m ecstatic to get the chance to drive Formula E’s GEN3,” Wickens told the Formula E website. “It’s the car I’ve wanted to try since the birth of the series and I’ve never really had an opportunity yet with the career paths I’ve taken, and when I was racing in DTM.

“Formula E has always been in that elite category because of the competition there, and there’s less emphasis on the car [performance]. If there are competitive drivers there, everyone wants to be involved. It’s always been like that for me and just getting the opportunity to try the car is the main goal, initially. If that leads to further opportunities then I’ll be very happy.

“What’s amazing about Formula E is that for years it’s been making things work that people said ‘can’t be done.’ It’s always doing things that people didn’t think possible and that’s another reason it’s been high on my list of series to try. I knew I’d be welcomed here with open arms because people aren’t afraid to go against the grain here.

“On top of that, it’s an FIA World Championship – and competition at that level is something I’ve always wanted to achieve. Every kid wants to be a world champion, whether that’s in karting or at the elite level of motorsport.”

Wickens almost won on his IndyCar debut on the streets of St. Petersburg, having qualified on pole and led most of the race until a late collision with Alexander Rossi took him out of contention. He was also a two-time winner in DTM’s Norisring street race and a winner on the streets of Durban in A1 GP, and he feels Formula E’s street racing focus could play to his strengths, should he race in the category in the future.

“To race at historic circuits like Monaco, and the other groundbreaking city circuits and locations Formula E heads to, just brings the excitement,” he said. “I love street racing and it’s always been my forte and something I’ve enjoyed and excelled at.”

Wickens actually came close to a Formula E ride in the past, having been approached by an unnamed team back in 2018, although the offer came after he’d already signed his contract with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to race in IndyCar that year.

Even for a simple demonstration run, Wickens still goes full-on into prep alongside team owner Michael Andretti. Simon Galloway/Motorsport Images

“Ironically, I almost had an opportunity, but it was just a little too late back in 2018 and I’d already signed a contract with an IndyCar team,” Wickens said. “I was offered the chance to join a team in Formula E but I couldn’t take it and my life went in a separate direction.

“To come full circle and get the chance to drive the car is incredible. Seeing how the series has grown and developed over the years is amazing, and I’ve been an avid fan – and most of the drivers here are either former colleagues from various paddocks or teammates of mine from the past. It’s been a bit of a reunion!

“One of the blessings of having an underfunded junior formula career is that you don’t have the textbook career path, so I had the fortune to jump into nearly every European junior series along the way for tests, part seasons or full seasons.

“That built me as a driver and I feel like it added more tools to my belt for when I became a full-time professional driver. Then, once I had the opportunity to come back Stateside and race in IndyCar, I didn’t feel like I was a rookie there and I just hit the ground running.”

While it didn’t quite happen six years ago, Wickens is now eyeing a move into Formula E if his run in the car this weekend goes well.

“A lot of teammates and former colleagues have told me I’d probably excel in Formula E knowing how methodical I am [in] my race approach in terms of handling the strategy and energy management,” he said. “In the sportscar world those same skills translate, and I like to think I’m one of the better ones at it, so I’m really happy to give it a shot here.

“The important thing for me is my goal to return back to the elite level of motorsport after being paralyzed in IndyCar. I didn’t really know how I would end up there or get back to that level – and I didn’t know if I would jump straight back into a top level seat or have to work my way back up.

“It seems to me it’s more likely the latter. I’ve been racing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series with Hyundai for [three seasons now], and we won the championship last year in the TCR category, so we’re finally back to winning ways.

“On paper, Formula E feels [like] such a good fit for me. The stars just never aligned but hopefully they can in the future.”

Wickens hospitalized after Nurburgring crash

Reigning IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR champion Robert Wickens was involved in a crash on Saturday at the first Nürburgring Endurance Series event on Germany’s legendary Nordschleife circuit. The Canadian, who was driving a Target Competition …

Reigning IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR champion Robert Wickens was involved in a crash on Saturday at the first Nürburgring Endurance Series event on Germany’s legendary Nordschleife circuit.

The Canadian, who was driving a Target Competition Hyundai Elantra TCR, was approximately 2.5 hours into the race and running second when the sizable incident took place; the reason for the trip into and over the barriers was unknown.

According to a spokesperson from his Bryan Herta Autosport IMSA team who spoke with RACER, Wickens was airlifted to a local hospital in Koblenz out of an abundance of caution after mentioning he was experiencing slight discomfort in his chest. Due to the late timing of the incident, the decision was made to hold the former DTM and IndyCar star overnight for observation.

Once settled in the hospital, Wickens provided an update of his own:

Pilot Challenge TCR crowns special on many levels for Wickens and Gottsacker

Seven times on the podium. Six times in second place. Never a victory. But still a championship … and perhaps as inspirational a title as has been seen in motorsports. Consistency bringing its own rewards was the story for Harry Gottsacker and …

Seven times on the podium. Six times in second place. Never a victory. But still a championship … and perhaps as inspirational a title as has been seen in motorsports.

Consistency bringing its own rewards was the story for Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens this season in claiming the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR championship for Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai. It’s a strange position to be in for both of them. Last season, paired with different drivers — Canadians Wickens and Mark Wilkins as one pairing, and Gottsacker with Parker Chase — both drivers scored at least one win. Together, victory eluded them. But they’re OK with that.

“It wasn’t how I drew it up between IMS and Road Atlanta, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter,” Wickens said. “It’s been a year building towards this. It’s a little weird that … I don’t know if it’s been done before, but we won the championship without winning a race. It just goes to show how strong we were as a team. We went through a lot of adversity, we didn’t have a perfect season, but we had very good damage limitation when we needed it. And I think that’s really what was the deciding factor.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1406]

The championship was the first in IMPC for both drivers, and the first since Wickens was paralyzed after an accident in an IndyCar Series race, in his second year after returning to racing. It capped off another great year for Bryan Herta Autosport, which has won five straight drivers championships. The manufacturers’ championship is Hyundai’s fourth.

“What a day. We got the manufacturers’ championship and the drivers’ championship,” marveled Gottsacker. “I’ve been running TCR for a while now, was second place a couple years ago in the championship, and to finally break through and be the champion means a lot — and a lot of weight off the shoulders.”

Not only did Gottsacker and Wickens take the title, Wilkins and Mason Filippi finished second in the championship with three victories, including the season-ending Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“Today was probably our sweetest day since we partnered with Hyundai,” declared BHA principal Herta. “Certainly, the challenge for the championships was harder than it’s ever been, and we couldn’t be prouder of Harry and Robbie and the 33 team, but also of every member of our team who contributed to this success. We know there will be hard work ahead to get ready for next year, but right now we want to savor and celebrate.”

Added team co-owner Sean Jones, “We’ve won a few but this one’s a bit a bit special with Harry and Robert. Everyone knows Robert’s story. And for Bryan and I and the good folks at Hyundai and the team in general, these two guys bringing it home is a little bit different for our organization.”

For Wickens, the short-term frustration of seeing potential wins get away was more than offset by the satisfaction of bringing home the championships for Hyundai. Jake Galstad/Motorsport Images

The effect of this championship will likely ripple well beyond the finale at Road Atlanta and the championship celebration that followed. Wickens’ trip from DTM star to IndyCar rookie sensation to the accident at Pocono that left him a paraplegic was a tragic arc. His journey from there to the first test using hand controls with BHA at Mid-Ohio, to a full-time ride where he scored two victories to bookend the birth of Wesley Joseph Wickens was emotional and inspirational. This championship, his first since Formula Renault 3.5 in 2011, will only add to the legend. And the fact that it came without a win? Wickens is OK with that.

“Looking back through the year there were obviously a couple of slips in the closing stages that, when you watch replays, maybe I could have done things differently,” Wickens said. “But I’d much rather have this feeling right now than the short-term ecstasy of winning a race, right? And so it doesn’t bother me at all. Obviously, in the moment, it bothers me when you lose a race late. But to stand here as champions, to me, it doesn’t matter at all.”

What’s to come next year, or how BHA will shuffle the driver pairings for the 2024 season is yet to be revealed. But Wickens, happy to stay at BHA and defend the title, is also looking at what’s next.

“I would be more than happy to return with with Bryan and Hyundai and try to protect our championship,” he said. “But I would love the opportunity to try and get into the WeatherTech [SportsCar Championship] in some way, shape or form.”

In the meantime, there is much to celebrate and relish, even as the work begins immediately for next year.