Lexus RC F GT3 Teams Secure Top-10 Finishes at VIR

The Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 teams achieved top-10 finishes in both the GTD PRO and GTD categories at the recent IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race held at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). The No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 secured a seventh-place finish in GTD PRO, while the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 earned ninth place in the GTD class. These results came despite challenging conditions and strategic race developments.

GTD PRO Class Performance

In the GTD PRO class, the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3, driven by Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat, finished seventh. Hawksworth began the race from 10th position and advanced to fifth after an early pit stop. He completed his stint on lap 50 before handing over to Barnicoat, who rejoined the track in eighth place.

During Barnicoat's stint, the No. 14 Lexus was involved in contact with the No. 77 Porsche, causing it to briefly leave the track and drop to ninth. The Porsche later received a drive-through penalty for the incident. Barnicoat managed to recover to eighth and ultimately crossed the finish line in seventh, concluding a demanding race for the team.

GTD Class Results

The No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3, piloted by Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen, secured a ninth-place finish in the GTD class. Telitz started the race from sixth position, improving to fifth before Pedersen took over driving duties on lap 20. Pedersen maintained a position within the top six during his segment of the race.

Pedersen pitted on lap 49, allowing Telitz to return to the cockpit for the final portion of the event. Despite facing a competitive field, Telitz guided the No. 12 Lexus to a ninth-place result, adding another top-10 finish for the Vasser Sullivan team. This outcome contributes to the overall performance of the Lexus RC F GT3 VIR race efforts.

Driver Perspectives and Future Races

Both teams acknowledged the difficulties encountered at VIR, citing a general lack of pace throughout the weekend. Jack Hawksworth described it as a "really tough weekend," highlighting the team's efforts to overcome adversity. Ben Barnicoat echoed this sentiment, noting the "challenging weekend" but praising the strategic efforts that helped them recover positions.

Aaron Telitz also commented on the struggle for pace but commended the team's perseverance to secure a top-10 finish even under difficult circumstances. Benjamin Pedersen mentioned challenges with "rear deg." in the heat. These insights provide context for the Lexus RC F GT3 VIR race results.

Lexus and Vasser Sullivan are now preparing for the final sprint race of the year. This event is scheduled to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 20. The teams aim to conclude the season strongly at this iconic venue.

These top-10 finishes at VIR demonstrate the Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 teams' ability to navigate challenging race conditions and execute strategic decisions. While the weekend presented performance hurdles, the results underscore the team's consistent effort in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as they look towards the upcoming race at Indianapolis.