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How Robert Wickens Drives the Corvette Z06 GT3.R with Hand Controls
Robert Wickens has steadily worked his way back to winning form behind the wheel of a race car. It’s been a long road since his 2018 Indycar crash that took from him the use of his legs, but Wickens’ unrelenting will has led to an IMSA TCR championship and now, a seat in a GTD Corvette.
Wickens worked with the teams at Bosch, Pratt Miller Motorsports, GM, and DXDT to develop hand controls that not only work for him, but also still allow able-bodied co-drivers to swap in and out of the car during the quick pit stops during IMSA endurance races. Here’s how the system works.
The setup varies slightly from the one that allowed Wickens to drive the TCR Hyundai, swapping one large ring in front of the steering wheel for four smaller levers. The larger ones that sit on top control the brakes and are linked side-to-side, allowing Wickens to switch hands without losing brake pressure as he steers the car. The throttle is controlled by a smaller set of controls situated just below the brake levers, and in between is the standard location for the paddle shifters. The clutch is a small button tucked on the left rear of the wheel and, according to Wickens, is barely needed. One button located on the driver’s side A-pillar switches the setup between drivers during a driver change.
The whole setup actually appears relatively simple, but Wickens makes it clear that the toughest part of driving with these hand controls—which he describes as a “bit of a masterpiece—” involves more mental energy. Keeping track of which hand is doing what while also thinking about the next action requires more than a little coordination. Just pressing the button to enable the microphone that allows Wickens to talk to the team in the pits requires a reach that isn’t possible if his left hand is at wide-open throttle. Switch to using the right hand and paddle, and the reach is no problem. That might not be such a big deal if Wickens were merely navigating commuter traffic, but anything extra to keep track of while racing at speeds well over 100mph and navigating multi-class racing is nothing to take lightly.
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Wickens and the team are focusing on embracing the way this technology has made an opportunity. He makes it clear he is not out on track solely to raise awareness or participate. He and the team are there to compete. During his debut in the Corvette at the Long Beach Grand Prix last weekend, Wickens showed speed in practice and the race. He and co-driver Tommy Milner put in solid performances, but contact during Milner’s final stint as he was battling for fifth place ended the team’s hopes of a strong performance. With 2023’s championship in the Michelin Pilot Challenge under his belt and this new hand control system showing its viability, we expect Wickens and the DXDT Corvette will be vying for the pointy end of the GTD class this season. We’ll be rooting for him.
There are few pursuits more self-indulgent than automobile racing and fewer still that are more expensive. It’s generally considered an activity for the well-off. But it also attracts those who are willing to forego other things to invest their time and treasure into it. And some, like Mr. Wickens, sacrificed mightily to pursue his dream. This thing they are doing to provide the capability to race under such circumstances demonstrates great technical ingenuity and, better still, the indomitability of the human spirit. The benefits of this endeavor will undoubtedly have positive effects beyond its current application.
Very cool and ingenious setup. I definitely want to see this car and driver in action.