Kirchhoefer Gets First Taste of Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller DiL in the Sim
There is a distinct difference between driving a race car and engineering one, but in the modern era of IMSA competition, a driver must be excellent at both. For Marvin Kirchhoefer, the transition from a standout performance in customer machinery to the high-pressure environment of a factory-backed effort is well underway.
The German ace recently completed his first critical laps as an official works driver, but he didn’t do it on the asphalt of Daytona or Sebring. He did it in the dark, digital confines of the simulator. Kirchhoefer has officially logged his first sessions in the Driver in the Loop (DiL) simulator for Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports.
It marks a significant milestone as he integrates into the legendary No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R lineup alongside defending GTD PRO champions Alexander Sims and Antonio Garcia. And he’s more than ready to shine.
From Customer Success to Factory Precision
The narrative surrounding Kirchhoefer is one of rapid ascension within the Corvette ecosystem. Just a year ago, he was fighting in the trenches of the GTD class. He didn’t just participate. He dominated, helping secure a Rolex 24 at Daytona victory for AWA, now 13 Autosport, in the No. 13 Corvette.
That win was historic, the first time a customer team, rather than the factory Pratt Miller squad, took a Corvette to victory lane in IMSA. That performance clearly turned heads in the front office. Now, Kirchhoefer isn’t just beating the factory drivers. He is one.
“It was really nice being back behind the wheel of the Corvette, so I really enjoyed the test,” Kirchhoefer noted regarding his recent sessions. “I was generally quite impressed by the whole setup of the team.”Stepping into the Pratt Miller garage is different from walking into a standard paddock awning.
The level of data, the number of engineers, and the expectation of perfection are amplified. However, Kirchhoefer noted the transition has been seamless. “Everyone has been very supportive and very helpful getting me up to speed within the team and getting reacquainted with the Corvette.”
Mastering the Virtual Learning Curve
While Kirchhoefer is a veteran behind the wheel of a physical car, his recent trip to Charlotte for the DiL test forced him to dust off a skill set he hasn’t used in a decade. The modern simulator is a far cry from a home gaming setup. It is a complex engineering tool used to validate suspension geometry, tire pressures, and aerodynamic balances before the hauler ever leaves the shop.
“I haven’t been in a sim for quite some time. It’s not something that I’m used to, I would say,” Kirchhoefer admitted with refreshing honesty. “When I was younger, I used to do quite some development back in the day for DTM but that was more than 10 years ago so it’s been a bit of a break for me being in a sim.”
This gap in experience presents a unique challenge. In a real chassis, a driver relies on the “seat of the pants” feel, the g-forces in a braking zone, the vibration of a tire flat-spotting, or the subtle yaw of the rear end stepping out. In the simulator, those physical cues are muted or non-existent, forcing the driver to rely heavily on visual processing.
Kirchhoefer highlighted this disconnect: “It’s always a bit more difficult to get a feeling for adjustments in a simulator than in the actual real car because you are limited to only a few feedback… You don’t really have the tire sound or the feeling of the tire scrubbing and all that.”
The Team Dynamic Heading into 2026
Despite the virtual rig’s learning curve, the test provided invaluable data for the upcoming season. Kirchhoefer wasn’t working in isolation. He was joined by veteran Tommy Milner on the second day, creating a transfer of knowledge vital to endurance racing success.
“It was quite impressive with how dedicated everyone was working during those three days,” Kirchhoefer said. “There were quite a few nice bits of information that took from [Milner].”Chemistry is the intangible variable in endurance racing. You can have the fastest car and the quickest drivers, but if the communication breaks down at 3:00 AM, the race is lost.
Kirchhoefer already has a rapport with Nicky Catsburg from previous racing endeavors, which helps fast-track his integration into the squad. With the virtual prep work in the books, the focus now shifts entirely to the physical reality of the high banks.
The goal is clear: defend the number 3 plate and start the 2026 season with new hardware.” Hopefully we’ve done our parts and our work well and can make it a good 2026 Daytona 24 race,” said Kirchhoefer. The simulation is over. The real work is about to begin.
