Victory for No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

The Vasser Sullivan No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 emerged triumphant in Saturday’s grueling Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway, marking a historic first victory for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan in this prestigious 12-hour endurance test.

Driver Jack Hawksworth led the GT field to the green flag on Saturday, securing Lexus and Vasser Sullivan’s inaugural Twelve Hours of Sebring pole position in Friday’s qualifying session. Despite a setback with a drive-through penalty following the first pit stop due to a pit road procedure infraction, the No. 14 Lexus showcased remarkable resilience. Through strategic maneuvers orchestrated by the Vasser Sullivan crew, drivers Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat, and Kyle Kirkwood reclaimed their position at the forefront of the GTD PRO field. Their stellar performance saw them leading for a total of 133 laps around the challenging 17-turn, 3.74-mile road course, clinching the program’s third GTD PRO endurance victory.

This victory adds to the team’s impressive track record, building upon their success at the 2022 Petit Le Mans, where Hawksworth, Barnicoat, and Kirkwood secured Lexus and Vasser Sullivan’s first endurance race win. The duo of Hawksworth and Barnicoat also tasted victory at the 2023 Six Hours of the Glen last season. Notably, they secured a runner-up finish at Sebring just one year ago.

Not to be overlooked, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan previously conquered Sebring in 2020, with Hawksworth and Aaron Telitz emerging victorious in a sprint event added to the IMSA schedule that year.

Meanwhile, Parker Thompson, Frankie Montecalvo, and Telitz of the No. 12 team battled valiantly, with Thompson kicking off the race from the second position in the GTD field. Seizing an early lead shortly after the start, the trio maintained a strong presence in the top-10 for much of the day, leading for 54 laps. However, a series of racing incidents during the grueling 12-hour event ultimately resulted in a 13th-place finish for the No. 12 team.

Looking ahead, the Vasser Sullivan Lexus team is set to return to action on the challenging Long Beach Street Circuit for the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 20. For all the latest racing updates and behind-the-scenes action, be sure to follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok using #LexusPerformance.