IMSA: Fire interrupts Corvette's Daytona Roar

Defending Rolex 24 at Daytona winners Corvette Racing have had their fill of fire-related woes at Daytona International Speedway.

The team's No. 4 Corvette Racing C7.R caught fire during the first Sunday test session when a fuel injector line malfunctioned with Marcel Fassler on board, and thankfully, the Swiss driver was able to pull over and get out safely. The front of the V8-powered machine, however, was burned significantly before the blaze could be extinguished.

According to the team, the fuel-related fire burned the bodywork, windshield, and a significant number of items beneath the hood. With the use of high-pressure direct fuel injection to feed the C7.R's monster V8 engine, any leak or breakage in the fuel delivery system will spray flammable liquid with considerable force due to the thousands of pounds of pressure in play, and can quickly coat the surrounding areas – the engine bay, in particular – in a fraction of a second. The damage was not enough to require a move to the spare car, however.

With the No. 4 loaded into the Corvette Racing transporter, it's expected to arrive back at the team's shop in Michigan by 12 p.m. ET on Monday, where repairs will begin immediately. The setback, while considerable, will not impact the team's ability to field the No. 4 and the sister No. 3 Corvette – which was parked just to be safe – during the Jan. 28-29 Rolex 24 race.

Although the damage was less severe, the new fire follows 364 days year after a blaze at the rear of the No. 4 slowed the team's progress at the Roar Before the 24 in 2016 (pictured, Marshall Pruett image). That fire, which burned a fair portion of the C7.R's right-rear, was caused by a faulty FIA-mandated fuel check valve. The No. 4 was fixed at the track and went on the lead an incredible 1-2 finish in the GT Le Mans class.

And there was another heat-related issue for the team at the recent mid-December test at Daytona where a lithium-ion battery in one of the cars began to fail in the garage. Quick thinking ensured a battery fire was avoided when one of the crew members grabbed the toasty unit and dropped it into a bucket of water.