By: Lexus Racing
July 19 2018
Northeast Grand Prix – Lime Rock Park – July 20-21, 2018
Canada Recap
The 3GT Racing No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 recorded the second podium of the season with a second-place finish in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park earlier this month with drivers Kyle Marcelli and Dominik Baumann. Along with the podium finish, both of the team’s RC F GT3 entries ran in the top-three for the majority of the race – with the two Lexus’ posting quickest laps among GTD entrants – and combined to lead 58 laps on the 10-corner road course in Canada. Barrie, Ontario native Marcelli led 25 laps late in the sprint event to register the second podium finish for 3GT Racing and the Lexus RC F GT3 after the No. 14 Lexus also claimed the team’s first victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in May. Jack Hawksworth started from the pole position and led the first 33 circuits behind the wheel of the No. 15 Lexus, including the quickest lap in class, and finished seventh in class with co-driver David Heinemeier Hansson.
Jack Fast on Track
Hawksworth has shown speed racing in the Lexus RC F GT3 this season. The 27-year-old Bradford, England native has registered the GTD pole position with track record times in three of the last four races, including Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio. Hawksworth has also registered the quickest lap times in class during racing competition in those same three events. He currently ranks fifth in the GTD championship point standings after six races this season. In last year’s Lime Rock event, Hawksworth led 29 laps before finishing seventh in class.
Farnbacher Returns
Mario Farnbacher will make his second start in the 3GT Racing No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3 this weekend as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competes at Lime Rock Park. Farnbacher, who won twice in a Lexus RC F GT3 in Europe’s GT Open championship last season, also raced the No. 15 at Watkins Glen International earlier this month and will team up with Hawksworth in the GT-only race on Saturday.
Goodwood Results
Jack Hawksworth and Scott Pruett both participated in the Goodwood Festival of Speed in partnership with Lexus UK over the weekend. Hawksworth and Pruett drove various Lexus vehicles in the historic hill climb event in West Sussex, England. It marks the second time Hall of Fame racer Pruett has participated in Goodwood, while Hawksworth was making his first trip to the historic event in his home country.
Made for TV
The 3GT Racing No. 15 RC F GT3 race car is featured in the current Lexus television advertisement promoting its ‘Golden Opportunity Sales Event’. The shiny red No. 15 Lexus is included alongside Lexus performance vehicles in the television spot that will run throughout the summer. View the commercial here: https://youtu.be/Uhh6xZw6V7Y.
Celebrating a Decade of F
The Lexus F performance story began a decade ago with the launch of the Lexus IS F sedan in 2008, and later the limited production, exotic LFA coupe in 2012. To commemorate 10 years of F, Lexus has introduced the 2019 GS F and RC F 10th anniversary special editions that will be available in limited quantities this summer. The 10th anniversary RC F will be on display at the Lexus Racing Experience at Lime Rock Park for fans to check out this weekend. These limited-edition 10th anniversary models come standard with unique features, making them stand out beyond their already-exceptional performance, including custom features and a coat of matte finish Nebula Gray paint. Lexus will produce 240 RC F special editions, matching the number of U.S. Lexus dealers, while 100 GS F 10th anniversary models are also being made.
Keeping Pace with Lexus … Fans can keep up with Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by using #LexusRCF GT3, #LexusPerformance and #LexusRacing, and online at www.Lexus.com/Motorsports.
3GT Racing Driver Quotes
KYLE MARCELLI, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What makes Lime Rock such a unique track?
“From the point you arrive it’s a beautiful part of the country, the area around the race track is gorgeous and the facility, the maintenance - it's all high quality. The track itself has the nickname the bullring and it’s true. It's a short track and in my mind there are six corners and one left hand corner, so you have to set the car up in a very unique way and the racing can be a bit aggressive because it’s so short unlike many on the schedule from the setup to the race craft, its very different.”
DOMINIK BAUMANN, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What is your outlook for Lime Rock this weekend?
“I have not been to Lime Rock, but I trust Kyle (Marcelli) and what he tells me and I’ve been doing some sim training at home and watching videos, which I hope give me some direction in the track. I have no idea how it is in real life, but it’s a short track with less corners, so I think it will be a quick learn for me.”
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
Are you looking forward to racing the RC F GT3 at Lime Rock?
“I’m really looking forward to Lime Rock. Last year, we led a lot of laps at that track, so hopefully we can evolve from last year and compete for the win. I think both of our Lexus RC F GT3s have a fantastic chance and I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing what we can do in the Lexus RC F GT3 for 3GT Racing.
MARIO FARNBACHER, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
Are you looking forward to racing the No. 15 Lexus this weekend at Lime Rock?
“I’m definitely glad to be back with 3GT Racing in the Lexus RC F GT3. It’s a really interesting race and the shortest track on the calendar for sure, so it’s really important to have good strategy. The time is short, the laps are so short and pits are important. It’s always tough with the GTLMs around Lime Rock because it is super tough to overtake, and as we know from the past that GTLM are always in packs together. So, if you don’t watch out, if you are not clever in the way you let them in, you could lose positions as well to another car.”
Canadians In BOLD