Nick Looijmans, Preston Brown and Denis Dupont celebrate their second place finish at Daytona. Race winners Mikey Taylor and Chris Miller, and third place finishers Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi.
By: Bryan Herta Autosport
January 29, 2024 

Bryan Herta Autosport opened the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season with a double podium in the 4-Hour BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.

BHA newcomers Denis Dupont, Nick Looijmans and Preston Brown earned the top spot for Hyundai in the season opener. The trio raced the no. 76 Elantra N TCR to second, securing Brown and Looijman's first ever IMSA podium finish. Brown qualified and started the race, and Looijmans took over for the middle stint. Dupont set the second fastest race lap while chasing the race winning #17 Audi.


Mason Filippi, Mark Wilkins, and the no. 98 Elantra N TCR crew matched their 2023 result with another third-place podium finish. Filippi raced from ninth to as high as second in his opening stint that totaled two hours and 23 minutes before turning over to Wilkins. While they were unable to catch the leaders, Wilkins, and the no. 98 team maximized their opportunities with a rewarding podium finish.


Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris held on for a top-ten finish with strong pace and a great strategy, despite an eventful first two hours. Hagler was hit by the #5 Alfa Romeo which resulted in a tire puncture putting the no.77 team one lap down. Resilient, Hagler and Morris raced back inside the top-ten, finishing eighth.


The no. 33 Elantra N TCR driven by defending champions Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens started from the pole position. Gottsacker extended his series record when he qualified first, earning his TCR pole position. The pair raced solidly inside the top-two throughout the first two hours and 45 minutes, until they suffered a mechanical failure which ended their race prematurely and left them 12th. The pair led more laps than any other Hyundai, totaling 11, and raising $1100.00 for the local Arnold Palmer Childrens Hospital, courtesy of Hyundai Hope on Wheel's donation program, where they will donate $100 for every lap led by Hyundai to a local children’s hospital.
 

#33 Elantra N TCR
2023 CHAMPIONS
Started: 1st Finished: 12th (DNF) 2024 Standings: 12th

 

Harry Gottsacker: "Daytona is a place that we have marked on the calendar every year, because it is so important in helping develop the car for the season. This was the best Hyundai Elantra N TCR that we’ve put on track in Daytona.  Robert and I really did our jobs in the race, and we were looking to have a battle for the win in the last 30 minutes. Unfortunately, we had an issue and didn’t get to go for the win, but we are going to bring it for the rest of 2024!"

 

Robert Wickens: "Everything was shaping up very well until it suddenly wasn’t. Harry had a great opening double stint. The team had some great pitstops and a strong strategy. Unfortunately, halfway through my opening stint we were forced into retirement with a mechanical issue. It stings, but we will come back even stronger in Sebring.”

 

#76 Elantra N TCR
Started: 13th Finished: 2nd 2024 Standings: 2nd

Denis Dupont: "I am extremely happy wiht our first race with the team. The whole team executed perfectly, and my teammates Nick and Preston drove a very strong race. That is the strong foundation we were looking for to start our season."

 

Nick Looijmans: "I still can't believe what we did at Daytona. I've been hunting for my first IMSA podium for a while, and to do it at Daytona with Bryan Herta Autosport feels extra special. Preston, Denis and I raced smart, and our crew executed perfect pitstops. A big thank you to everyone at BHA and Hyundai USA for their hard work."

 

Preston Brown: "I couldn't be happier with how we've begun the season with Bryan Herta Autosport. Coming off the Roar, I knew the drivers and crew were working really well together as a team, and while nothing was given, I felt we were prepared to put a good race together. To have finished second at Daytona was amazing, I am thrilled to have my first IMSA podium and feel very well prepared for Sebring"

 

#77 Elantra N TCR
Started: 11th Finished: 8th Standings: 8th

Taylor Hagler: "We had the car and the strategy to have a great result, but we never had the chance to show it. The toughest days at the track are the ones when you are not in control. It is
unfortunate that a mistake by a competitor took away that chance. The BHA team has learned and tested many things over the last two weeks, and we can take those notes with us as we prepare for Sebring in March."

 

Bryson Morris: "It was a bit of a tough race for us here in Daytona. After having contact early in the race with another car which put us 2 laps down, but we stayed focused and kept running with slight damage we showed great pace which shows promise for the rest of the season."

 

#98 Elantra N TCR
Stared: 9th Finished: 3rd 2024 Standings:3rd

Mason Filippi: "It was a great start to the season for Bryan Herta Autosport, with a double podium. Mark and I worked hard with our no. 98 crew to get back on the podium at Daytona. We really enjoyed hte race and are looknig forward to a tough and competitive season in our Elantra N TCR."

 

Mark Wilkins: “Making a habit of finishing third at Daytona is okay by me. This is a good start to our season. Surviving these 4-hour races is no easy feat but our Elantra N TCR was on point, and we executed a smart race. It’s a long season and every point is critical, so this is exactly what we needed to do. We have some time to get organized for Sebring and expect we’ll be strong there. Congratulations to the #76 team on their P2 finish! Double podium for the team is a great way to start the year!”

 

Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian
Founded in 2009, Bryan Herta Autosport has grown from a single car Indy-Lights team into a multi-championship winning auto racing franchise. Led by IndyCar and Sports Car star Bryan Herta, Bryan Herta Autosport has won races in every discipline they have entered, including Indy Lights, Indy Car, Global Rallycross, and championship titles in Pirelli World Challenge and IMSA. BHA rose to prominence after winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500 in what was the final race of the Centennial Era, a celebration of 100 years of racing at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with driver Dan Wheldon. Five years later, BHA partnered with Andretti Autosport, and defied the odds again, winning their second Indianapolis 500 with rookie driver Alexander Rossi. In 2018, BHA entered the American Sports Car scene beginning its immensely successful partnership with Hyundai. Together, BHA and Hyundai have won five championships in as many seasons, including five consecutive team and driver championships, and four consecutive (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) manufacturer's titles in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge. For more information, visit: www.BryanHertaAutosport.com.



BHA/Hyundai Customer Support: Bryan Herta Autosport is the U.S. sales agent and part support representative of Hyundai TCR and TCA race cars for customer teams. The BHA/Hyundai Customer Support Team offers trackside engineering support, setup and tuning advice, and part and order fulfillments for the Hyundai Veloster N TCR and TCA teams and drivers from the BHA’s headquarters in Speedway, IN. Since its North American debut in 2019, the Hyundai Veloster N TCR has scored 27 race wins, and three TCR championship titles.

 

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America focuses on ‘Progress for Humanity’ and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

 

Canadians In BOLD

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Both Lexus RC F GT3s lead the field during 24-hour race. (Photo-VasserSullivan Facebook)
By: Lexus Racing
January 28, 2024 

Daytona Beach, Florida – Lexus and Vasser Sullivan showed tremendous fight and determination during the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona after claiming front row positions for the 24-hour endurance event, however the results did not showcase the team’s overall performance. Challenges on the race track resulted in an 11th-place finish for the No. 14 RC F GT3 in the GTD PRO class and a 15th-place finish for the No. 12 RC F GT3 in the GTD category.

 

Starting from pole position, the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 was in contention for the GTD class win throughout the 24 hours. Aaron Telitz started the race sharing the car with Parker Thompson over the first few stints, where the No. 12 RC F GT3 was the dominant car early on. After pacing the field for most of the first three hours, they handed the wheel to Ritomo Miyata who also led the race in his Rolex 24 debut, running in the top-two the majority of his first run late Saturday afternoon.

 

Frankie Montecalvo jumped in the No. 12 for a double stint as nightfall came over Daytona International Speedway and ran a consistent pace. Once a yellow flag waved with a little more than 17 hours remaining, Telitz jumped back in the Vasser Sullivan Lexus, going from fourth to first on the ensuing restart. He and Thompson managed to fight for the lead throughout the night hours and stayed within the top five Sunday morning. On the final pit stop, however, with Thompson fighting for a podium position, the car caught fire in the pit lane, which led to a retirement and a 15th place finish. In total, the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 led 146 laps.

 

The No. 14 RC F GT3 started their GTD PRO title defense by overcoming early adversity in the Rolex 24 to finish in 11th place with drivers Jack Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat, Kyle Kirkwood and Mike Conway. Starting second, Barnicoat took the early lead for the first 40 minutes of the race, leading 14 laps. At the first pit stop, Conway hopped in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus for his first stint, but was hit by a spinning competitor on the ensuing restart which put the team in the garage for repairs. Through incredible teamwork and efficiency, the crew finished all adjustments in just over an hour to get the car back out in the race.

 

By clicking off laps and staying out of trouble, the No. 14 team was able to get back into the top ten by midnight as other competitors faced their own issues. Unfortunately, the car had to retire in hour 16 of the 24-hour endurance event due to overheating issues and ultimately came home 11th.

 

The Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3s return to action at Sebring International Raceway for the 12 Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 16. Live flag-to-flag coverage will be on Peacock for authenticated subscribers, along with television coverage on the USA Network from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET. To keep up with all the racing action, follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by using #LexusPerformance.

 

Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes

PARKER THOMPSON, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

How would you describe your performance and the team’s performance at the Rolex 24?

“Up until the last hour, the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team did absolutely everything right. From the drivers to the pit crew, the engineers, we were the definition of perfection. To have it go away like that has me lost for words honestly. I can’t thank my teammates enough. Particularly Aaron Telitz who did a triple stint there at the end. We wouldn’t have been in that position without his effort. The pit box did an amazing job to keep us in the top race all day long. Unfortunately, we have to wait another 12 months to get another crack at it.”

 

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

How was your race with the Lexus RC F GT3 before what transpired in the last hour?

“It was a tough end to the day today. I feel like we were in the top two spots the entire time. It’s a hard blow to end this way. The No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team did a phenomenal job. Qualifying on pole and then controlling the race for a while. We didn’t have contact until something inadvertent later in the race, which provided some damage. To end like this is a tough one. We had a great run going and had some great points going for us. Going out of the race early like this is tough for us and the team. But I know the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team will get this thing back together and we’ll be ready for Sebring.”

 

AARON TELITZ, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

Can you take us through the race for yourself and the entire No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team?

“I feel so bad for the Vasser Sullivan Lexus crew. I felt like we had a shot at the podium today. The whole team was operating at such a high level. To see it go away like that hurts a lot. My co-drivers did an amazing job throughout the race. Parker (Thompson), Frankie (Montecalvo) and Ritomo (Miyata) absolutely nailed their stints. Everyone contributed and the pit stops were excellent. Just a big bummer at the end, but I know this team will regroup and we’ll be hungry for Sebring.”

 

RITOMO MIYATA, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

Can you describe your first experience at the Rolex 24 and with the Vasser Sullivan Lexus team?

“I tried to take everything step-by-step since it was the first time for me at the Rolex 24 and with the Vasser Sullivan Lexus team. The main focus for my stints was to conserve the car overall, tires, fuel, brakes, everything else. Once we were able to do that, our focus shifted to the finish and the target was going for the win. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way we had hoped.”

 

BEN BARNICOAT, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

Can you describe the eventful Rolex 24 that the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team had?

“Yeah, obviously, on a day like today that we had as a group, team, and family, you can only look to the positives that came from this race. We had a great qualifying result last week and got to start the Rolex 24 from the front row for the first time and take the lead in the first corner, which was special. First stint felt like we had great pace in our Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3. We were in good control and comfortable, but what happened when Mike (Conway) was in the car was unavoidable. Wrong place, wrong time. That happens sometimes in motorsports. Just bummed for everyone that put so much effort into this race. We kept going after that incident to get as many points as we could. Fantastic job by the Vasser Sullivan crew to get the car ready to go. We were still able to get some points from the day and we did everything we could to maximize what we could. No one in this group deserves what happened to us and the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan RC F GT3 team today, but we are champions and we have a champion mindset. We have championship drive and we’re not going to let this race deter us from going on to achieve great things this year. We’re going to get our heads down and get ready for Sebring.”

 

 

MIKE CONWAY, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

What happened to take the No. 14 out of the race early?

“Really gutted we had the incident there in the first hour of the race. Not much I could do to avoid the spinning car in front of me. Maybe I could’ve seen it coming, but once it happened, I had nowhere to go. I’m really disappointed as I thought we had a good shot at the podium, so unfortunate we couldn’t achieve that. Also bummed for the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team as they had a great shot at a podium as well. Tough day for the entire Vasser Sullivan team, but they’re a strong team and they’ll come back swinging. Big thank you to Vasser Sullivan and Lexus for the opportunity to drive the car again. And thanks to Jack (Hawksworth), Ben (Barnicoat) and Kyle (Kirkwood) for helping me. Hopefully we get to do it again.”

 
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The Rolex 24 at Daytona Marks the Beginning of Year Jam-packed with Racing Action on Canada’s 24/7 Motorsports and Motoring Destination. (Photo-Chester Hawley)
By: Chris Jameson/RaceCanada.ca
January 24, 2024 

The Roar Before the 24 weekend featured the opening rounds of the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge for LMP3 and GT4 cars. There were two races, Saturday January 20 at 2:05pm and Sunday January 21 at 12:20pm, with both races streamed live on IMSA TV.
There was a short list of Canadians in the VP Challenge:
 
LMP 3
#61 George Staikos - Ave Motorsports - Ligier JS P320
#87 Marco Kacic - FastMD Racing with Remstar - Duqueine D08 (late entry we originally missed, thanks to a follower for pointing it out...)
Grand Sport
#21 Jesse Lazare - Motorsports in Action - McLaren Artura GT4
 
In VP Racing Sportscar Challenge Practice 2 from Daytona International Speedway Jesse Lazare went second fastest on the session in the Motorsports In Action McLaren Artura GT4 (after turning only six laps in session 1) and was just 0.150 off the top spot. This bodes well for the Canadian going into qualifying and the first two rounds of the series which take place this weekend.
 
IMSA qualifying results for race 1 of VP Racing Sportscar Challenge at Daytona International Speedway saw the LMP3 of George Staikos (Trenton, ON) starting inside row five in the # 61 Ave Motorsports Ligier, while in GSX, Jesse Lazare (Montreal, QC) will start from inside row six in the #21 Motorsports In Action McLaren Artura.
 
The first IMSA race of the 2024 season was Race 1 in the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge with Marco Kacic finishing P4 in LMP3, George Staikos was 8th in LMP3, while Jesse Lazare finished P13 in GXS
 
Race 2 of the IMSA season was the second race for the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge. LMP3 saw a podium finish for Kelowna BC's Marco Stacic in the #87 Duqueine taking third spot, while George Staikos finished P8 in the #61 Ligier but would be elevated to P7 following an immediate post-race penalty against the second-place finisher (Ware).
 
GSX saw a great run for Jesse Lazare in the Motorsports in Action #21 McLaren Artura moving up to P4 on a last lap shootout following a lengthy yellow. A terrific race for the team after earlier issues limited the number of practice laps they were able to turn.
 
Click the IMAGE BELOW to download the RaceCanada 2024 Rolex 24 Viewers Guide to Canadians (printable, in .pdf format)
24012402a
In Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice 2, TCR class, the #6 Honda Civic of the the Montreal Motorsports Group with LP Montour (w/Brian Ortiz) went P2 and the #93 Montreal Motorsports Honda with Karl Wittmer (w /DAI Yoshihira) end up P4. Robert Wickens was P6, Denis Dupont P8 and Mark Wilkins P10 all in Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantras (#33 / #76 / #98)
 
Qualifying for the Michelin Pilot Cup Challenge goes Thursday from 1:15 PM to 1:50 PM ET. Unfortunately there is no streaming available for qualifying. 
 
The Roar also saw qualifying for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. 
 
The session for GTD/GTD Pro was shortened due to a red flag and the cars had just under eight minutes to qualify.
 
Canadians finished as follows: (Q = Qualifying Driver)
P1 GTD / P3 overall - Parker Thompson  Q - #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus 
P4 GTD / P6 overall - Kyle Marcelli Q - Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti # 45 Lamborghini Huracan GT3
P5 GTD / P7 overall - Forte Racing #78 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 (Goikhberg / De Francesco)
P9 GTD / P15 overall - #17 AWA Corvette (Anthony Mantell)
P14 GTD / P24 overall - #13 AWA Corvette (Orey Fidani)
P9 Pro / P26 overall - #65 Multimatic Ford Mustang
P13 Pro / P41 overall - #64 Mutimatic Ford Mustang
P17 GTD / P43 overall - #57 Winward Racing Mercedes (Morad)
P18 GTD / P44 overall - Mikael Grenier Q - #32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsports Mercedes
P22 GTD / P48 overall - Roman DeAngelis Q #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin (Robichon)
 
The #27 Heart of Racing Aston experienced early problems and would complete only 2 laps.
 
LMP2 Qualifying results (unofficial) for IMSA Weathertech Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway
 
LMP2 qualifying saw the #8 Tower Motorsports Oreca (John Farano) will qualify P13
 
2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona Broadcast Schedule
Broadcast schedule for this weekends Rolex 24 at Daytona available in IMSA.tv, while the Rolex 24 itself will also be available on REV TV
Thurs Jan 25 - 4:10pm - 5:00pm - Mazda MX5 Cup Race 1 (IMSA.tv)
Fri Jan 26 - 10:10am - 11:00am - Mazda MX5 Cup Race 2 (IMSA.tv)
Fri Jan 26 - 1:40pm - 5:45pm - Michelin Pilot Challenge Race (IMSA.tv)
Sat Jan 27 - 1:30pm - Rolex 24 at Daytona (IMSA.tv and REV TV)


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Danny Dyszelski has added a Radical program with Canadian team RySpec Racing to his US F2000 program.
By: Danny Dyszelski Racing
January 26, 2024 

Already confirmed in a USF Pro 2000 program for next season, 2023 Pro 1500 Vice-Champion Danny Dyszelski will be back in the Radical Cup North America competition in 2024 with Richard Yin’s RySpec Racing team.
 
“The RySpec team runs a top-notch program and they have won multiple Radical championships,” explained Dyszelski. “His program is rapidly expanding, and I am very happy to be a small piece to the growing puzzle for 2024.”
 
Already competing and winning at RySpec Racing, Dyszelski competed in both a six-hour enduro and a 90-minute sprint race last weekend at the PBOC Winterfest winning both. After qualifying first in class and eighth overall for the enduro, Dyszelski co-drove with Johan Schwartz to stand on the top of the class podium, and second overall. On the sprint side of the effort, the newly minted RySpec competitor qualified fifth out of 22 before adding another victory to his resume.
 
“Danny is an amazing driver and he’s shown that with many wins in both his Radical and open-wheel racing last season,” added Yin. “At a young age, he's had a lot of success, and we hope to keep pushing the needle forward in 2024. We came together a few weeks ago with the goal of getting Danny as much seat time as possible to adapt to driving a large GT car as opposed to his normal lightweight prototype and formula car racing. It was clear after just a few practice sessions that Danny was comfortable with the change of pace and was able to fight for a top-three finish in the six-hour.”
While not confirmed for a full Radical Cup North America schedule, Dyszelski will see action on weekends that do not conflict with his already announced USF Pro 2000 efforts. Looking to focus on one class per weekend to better his on-track performances, Dyszelski will also take part in additional GT events with RySpec Racing this season with announcements coming soon.
 
Dyszelski continued, “The goal is to win and get team points for RySpec Racing in 2024, but also have an increased focus on my performances each race weekend. While 2023 was good, as a driver I want to constantly develop and can’t wait to get started with Richard and get on track more.” 
 
For more information on Danny Dyszelski, please visit him online at www.dannydracing.com. For results, news, photos, and more information, please be sure to follow Danny Dyszelski on social media by searching Danny Dyszelski Racing.
 
For more information on RySpec Racing, please visit them online at www.ryspec.ca or find them on social media by searching RySpec Racing.
 
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GTD PRO Title Defense also Begins for the No. 14 RC F GT3.
By: Lexus/Vasser Sullivan
January 24, 2024 

Daytona Beach, Florida – Lexus Racing and Vasser Sullivan will lead the GTD class to green in the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona after claiming their first pole position at the famed endurance race through Parker Thompson and the No. 12 RC F GT3. Lexus factory driver, Jack Hawksworth, just missed out on capturing pole position as well in GTD PRO, qualifying second in the class in the No. 14 RC F GT3, which begins its championship defense this weekend. Hawksworth and Thompson qualified second and third, respectively, out of 36 total GT entries.
 
The 25-year-old Thompson, now running full time with Lexus and Vasser Sullivan, captured his first career series pole with time of 1:44.494 on the 3.56-mile Daytona road course. Thompson’s time claimed the GTD pole by a mere four one-hundredths of a second. Thompson made his series debut last season serving as the endurance driver for the team, and now takes on the full IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship schedule in 2024.
 
Joining the young Canadian in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan RC F GT3, will be Vasser Sullivan veterans Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz, along with first-timer and Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, Ritomo Miyata. Montecalvo enters his sixth full-time season driving the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 in the GTD class. Last season, he and Telitz finished third in the GTD class standings and captured victory at Watkins Glen. Telitz returns for his fifth season with Lexus and Vasser Sullivan, now as an endurance driver. Miyata is the final addition to the No. 12 entry for the prestigious endurance race, making his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. The 24-year-old is the reigning Super Formula and Super GT500 Champion and will also be contesting the Formula 2 championship and the European Le Mans Series in 2024, along with serving as the reserve driver for the Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC Hypercar team.
 
Though he missed out on pole position by eight one-hundredths of a second, Hawksworth placed the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan RC F GT3 in prime position when the green flies for the Rolex 24. The Bradford, England native and fellow Lexus factory driver, Ben Barnicoat, begin their GTD PRO class championship defense after capturing the first full-season GT title for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan last season. En route to last year’s championship, Hawksworth and Barnicoat scored victories at Long Beach and Watkins Glen to partner with four pole positions and nine podium finishes in 11 races. Now in their third season together, they're focused on winning the biggest race in American sportscar racing after finishing third last January.
 
Hawksworth and Barnicoat will be joined by Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Mike Conway, along with INDYCAR racer and Florida native, Kyle Kirkwood for this year’s race. Both drivers also competed for Vasser Sullivan in the Rolex 24 last season in the No. 14 and No. 12 RC F GT3 entries. Conway brings extensive endurance race experience with him making his seventh start in the Rolex 24, including a third-place finish with Hawksworth and Barnicoat last year. For Kirkwood, this will be his fourth start in the endurance event with a best finish of fourth in 2022 with Hawksworth and Barnicoat.
 
Twenty twenty-four marks the eighth season Lexus Racing is fielding RC F GT3s in IMSA competition and the sixth season Lexus and Vasser Sullivan will race together in the GT categories. Over their partnership, Lexus Racing and Vasser Sullivan have amassed 13 wins, 39 podium finishes, 18 pole positions, the 2023 IMSA GTD PRO Driver, Team, and Manufacturer Championship, and the 2020 IMSA Sprint Cup titles.
 
The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be broadcast live on NBC starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 27 with additional television coverage throughout the race on USA Network. Live flag-to-flag coverage will also be streaming on Peacock for authenticated subscribers. To keep up with all the racing action, follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by using #LexusPerformance.
 
Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes
 
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What’s your outlook for the race starting on the front row?
“We feel like we’ve prepared well for the race with our Lexus RC F GT3. Obviously coming off the championship last year, we’ve kept the same people and crew on our Vasser Sullivan team to go along with good consistency in our driver lineup. Mike (Conway) did the Rolex with us last year and Kyle (Kirkwood) did a lot of endurance races, along with Ben (Barnicoat) and I coming back together again. We’ve continued to build since last year. We feel positive about everything, but the thing with this race is that you never really know until the last two or three hours. We’ll have to wait and see, but will give it our best from a good starting spot.”
 
BEN BARNICOAT, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How does the strong qualifying effort build confidence for the team heading into the Rolex 24?
“As a group for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan, it’s a great way to start off the year with a pole in GTD and a second starting spot in GTD PRO. From our side on the No. 14 RC F GT3, to start on the front row for a prestigious race as this is amazing. Jack (Hawksworth) has always done a super job in qualifying. On the 12 car side, so happy and excited for them with Parker (Thompson) getting the pole in his first GTD attempt. That’s very special and shows that even though we were champions last year, we’re not resting, and we’ve continued to work, especially the guys on the Vasser Sullivan team and Lexus. We’ve all worked extremely hard in the offseason to allow us to arrive here and start the year leading the field. Very excited to get to the race.”
 
KYLE KIRKWOOD, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How has everything gone so far leading up to the race this weekend?
"So far, so good for our No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 Vasser Sullivan team. Really happy with the performance of the car and team. Everything has been very smooth so far which is exactly what you want going into a 24-hour race. The fact that we have some pace gives us confidence and everyone on the team is gelling well. Things have happened at this race in the first lap over the years, so being at the front and staying up there to keep our nose clean will help us avoid those situations happening behind us. Super proud of Parker (Thompson) getting pole in the GTD class, and Jack qualifying P2 is great. Really excited for this weekend.”
 
MIKE CONWAY, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How is it being back with Lexus and Vasser Sullivan in the Rolex 24?
“Great to be back with Vasser Sullivan in the Lexus RC F GT3, driving a championship-winning car. I knew the guys were doing a great job last year when I was with them, so to see them win the championship at the end was great. Getting back in the car and used to the nuances of going fast around here. Good qualifying overall, starting in the front of the field. Looking forward to race day.”
 
PARKER THOMPSON, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How does it feel to claim pole at the Rolex 24 and what’s your outlook for the race?
“One for one in GTD qualifying, getting pole at Daytona! Doesn't get much better than that. It's incredible to think I was spotting here two years ago and now I’m taking my first pole in a Lexus RC F GT3. I can’t thank the Vasser Sullivan team and Lexus Racing enough for the opportunity. Getting the first Rolex 24 pole for the team and Lexus is neat. I still have a lot to learn going into the race this weekend, but we’re starting from the best spot with the best driver lineup. There’s no reason we can’t compete for a Rolex watch on Sunday. Excited to see what we can make happen.”
 
FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
What does a pole at the Rolex 24 mean for the entire team heading into the race?
“The team did a phenomenal job in a hectic qualifying, getting out in a hole after the red flag since it was basically a two-lap shootout. Both cars did a phenomenal job. Parker did an awesome job in his first qualifying effort in the No. 12 RC F GT3, putting us on pole for the Rolex 24, which is amazing. It'd be good to stay up at the front, away from all the hectic stuff in the back. Phenomenal start to the racing season that brings along some good points with the pole, so that will help us down the line considering to how many points it took for us to get third in the championship. We can take everything we can get early on. The Vasser Sullivan team has been firing on all cylinders this weekend. Our Lexus RC F GT3 keeps getting better and better, and the team keeps functioning as a complete family. I have complete confidence going into the race.”
 
AARON TELITZ, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
What are your thoughts and feelings heading into the race this weekend?
“The Vasser Sullivan team is operating at such a high level just like we were all last season, carrying it over into 2024. The team has been working great. Ritomo (Miyata) has been awesome and is a great addition to the No. 12 RC F GT3 team. Parker (Thompson) sticking it on pole for the Rolex 24 has us on cloud 9. We’re really excited for this weekend.”
 
RITOMO MIYATA, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you talk about your experience so far at the Rolex 24 and what you’re expecting this weekend?
“My first time racing in the U.S. has been great. The Vasser Sullivan team and my teammates have been kind to me so far. I'm trying to take everything step-by-step with the difference in the RC F GT3 compared to what I’ve raced before. It's been very good overall. I've had a great time working with everyone at Vasser Sullivan and Lexus so far and the result from qualifying is great as well. Really proud of the team. It's all been very enjoyable.”
 
 
*Canadians In BOLD
 
About Lexus
The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its eighth season in the GTD class, and third year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Over the last six seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 13 wins, 39 podium finishes and 18 pole positions with the RC F GT3. Lexus won its first full-season IMSA GTD PRO Manufacturers Championship on the strength of two wins and podium positions in nine of 11 races in 2023.
 
Lexus' passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.
 
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