By: AIM VASSER SULLIVAN RACING
June 1 2019 

The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN (AVS) No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 was victorious in the GTD class for the second consecutive IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race with co-drivers Jack Hawksworth and Richard Heistand on Saturday at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park.

The win marks the fourth for the Lexus RC F GT3 in IMSA competition and second for AIM VASSER SULLIVAN in their fourth IMSA start. Hawksworth and Heistand also drove the No. 14 Lexus to victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in May.

Hawksworth led the final 30 laps of the 100-minute sprint event on Saturday and ran the quickest GTD lap of the race with a time of 1:30.102.

The AVS No. 12 RC F GT3 also finished on the podium in Detroit, earning a third-place result with teammates Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo.

Both of the AVS top-three finishes gives the Lexus RC F GT3 its first double podium result.

The AVS Lexus RC F GT3s have combined to earn two wins, four podiums and six top-five results to start the season.

Lexus currently leads the provisional GTD Sprint Cup manufacturer point standings. The No. 14 Lexus also sits on top of the Sprint Cup championship points following their second sprint race win, while the No. 12 RC F GT3 is in fourth-place in the standings.

AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Driver Quotes

JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

What does it mean to win your second consecutive race today behind the wheel of the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3?

“I had a good feeling about today. We had a good qualifying position in fourth. I thought the Lexus had been working quite well all weekend and then we had a great pit stop. The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN guys did a fantastic job and the Lexus RC F was good the whole way through the stint. When I was in third – if you give me a sniff to win, I’m going to go for it and try to win the thing so that’s what I did. The guys did a great job. Richard (Heistand) did great in qualifying and great in his stint. He’s never been here before and he turned in a good performance. The guys did the pit stop unbelievable and then two podiums for the Lexus RC F and the AVS team today.”

What won you today’s race?

“We knew the pit stop was going to be important. The guys did a fantastic job. Richard (Heistand) was in fourth place with a good first stint and put me right behind the lead trio and we had a good pit stop that got us out third and then we were really good on old tires. The Lexus was working well and as soon as I could sniff the lead, I went for it and just tried my best to hold everyone off. Great job by Richard and everyone on this team. It was a great Lexus RC F GT3. Two in a row. We’ve got the lead in the Sprint Cup at the minute, but we’ve just got to keep pushing on and keep working hard because the competition is tough. Just got to keep stepping the game up and keep working hard.”

RICHARD HEISTAND, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

How does it feel to win your second consecutive race in the Lexus RC F GT3?

“I am just so happy for the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team. I can’t believe we actually won. I didn’t do a whole lot for it, but I’ll take the trophy. Jack (Hawksworth) drove amazing. I don’t think we had the fastest car, but the Lexus RC F GT3 was strong, the team did a great job and we had the fastest driver in the end.”

TOWNSEND BELL, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

How was the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN No. 12 Lexus able to get on the podium today?

“First, it started with an excellent start by Frankie (Montecalvo). He did a great job in qualifying. We’ve improved since Mid-Ohio. We struggled a bit there. He got a great start with clean, smart decision making and gave me the perfect car and the pit stop was awesome for both cars – the 12 and the 14. Both were super fast and we matched those guys. We were right there together with our Lexus’. The restart came and I kind of slotted in there and it got a little messy in front of me. Jack (Hawksworth) made a move, checked up the guys for me and I ducked inside that 57 (Katherine Legge) and dropped it down to first gear and got by them. We had good track position and then kind of managed from there. Still learning this car. I feel like every time I complete laps I learn more and now I think I’ve got a pretty reasonable idea of what we need. We still need a little bit, but we’re getting there. Four races and two podiums, four races and two wins for the 14, so it’s a good start for AIM VASSER SULLIVAN.”

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

How are you feeling after your third-place podium finish today?

“I couldn’t be happier. Like I have said before, the more time the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team is together the better we get. I’m just looking forward to the next event, finishing third here after not qualifying where we wanted, it’s very impressive. We had the overall pace, but we had a great race in the Lexus RC F GT3. We stayed out of trouble and took advantage of our opportunities. That’s what we did as a team.”