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Indianapolis, Indiana – Jack Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat and the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 team finished fourth in the GTD PRO class at Sunday’s Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, narrowly missing out on their third podium of the 2024 IMSA season. The result is the fifth top-five finish for the defending class champions this season. Parker Thompson, Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz’s day ended early in the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3, resulting in a 22nd-place finish in the GTD class on Sunday.

 

Hawksworth began the day behind the wheel of the No. 14 RC F GT3 starting 10th in the GTD PRO class, but the Vasser Sullivan crew elected for an alternate strategy amid inclement weather and a full course caution early on. The Brit stayed out on slick tires while others pitted, putting him in the class lead for 12 laps. The strategy paid off as Hawksworth ran in the top half of the GTD PRO field through the pit cycle before handing the car over to Barnicoat just past the halfway point. Barnicoat stayed towards the front of the GTD PRO field, and with the final yellow coming out with just over an hour remaining, Hawksworth hopped back in the cockpit with a podium finish in reach. He fought his competitors hard over the final laps, coming home fourth at the checkered flag.

 

The No. 12 RC F GT3 team qualified third in the GTD class behind a tremendous effort from Thompson but started at the rear on Sunday due to a post-qualifying inspection penalty. Like their GTD PRO teammates, the No. 12 crew elected for slicks while others went to the wet weather tires early – through a pit stop where Montecalvo jumped in the car for Thompson. The New Jersey native made his way to the top-three in class, but an on-track incident just over an hour into the race damaged the rear of his RC F GT3 and ended the team’s day in the 22nd position of the GTD class.

 

The Vasser Sullivan Lexus team heads to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for the Petit Le Mans 10-hour endurance race on Saturday, October 12, which is the final event of the 2024 IMSA season. To keep up with all the racing action, follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by using #LexusPerformance.   

 

Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes 

 

Can you describe racing in the mixed conditions today?

 

“It was a really crazy race with mixed conditions all the way through. It started off dry, then it rained, and the guys made a good call by staying out on slicks. We took the lead at one point, which was good and then the rain came again. We ended up cycling to the back because we stayed out earlier, but with good speed on the wet tires, we were able to come through and get into a good position again. We were up to second or third, but then had to fight to hold off the Corvette and the Aston Martin. Almost got up there to get a podium, but just ran out of rear tires at the end of the final stint. Unfortunate to miss out on the podium, but we gave it everything we had.”

 

How was your race today?

 

“The inaugural six-hour Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis sure lived up to the expectation of what we thought it was going to be in terms of a crazy race. There were a lot of mixed conditions, with that big downpour of rain and a lot of yellows to navigate throughout the day. So proud of everyone here at Vasser Sullivan, Lexus Racing, and my teammate Jack (Hawksworth). It was a really tough day with a lot of difficult calls to be made, and I felt we made the right call at every stop and every scenario. We just didn’t quite have a fast enough car today. I felt we got everything we could out of our Lexus, it just wasn’t quite enough to get a win. Missing out on the podium with two laps to go is tough, but Jack was doing absolutely everything he could to hang on around quick cars. He put up an incredible fight as this whole Vasser Sullivan team did today. I’m just really proud of everyone. We’ve just got to focus forward and go try to get another Petit Le Mans win.”

 

What are your emotions after going out early in today’s six-hour race?

 

“After a solid start to the day for the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team, we unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of a strategy and weren’t able to continue the race and the battle for the GTD win. I’m disappointed now, but will be ready to fight back at Road Atlanta to finish out the season strong so we can get things sorted out in the off-season to go win a championship in GTD next year.”

 

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 

Can you take us through your stint in the race?

 

“Overall, short race for us today. I feel like the team made the right call initially getting us out there on slicks (tires) during the driver change from Parker (Thompson) to myself. We saw a lot of people go out on rain (tires) and we were one of the ones that went out on slicks. When it initially stopped raining as hard, we started gaining positions. I think we fought our way up to P3 and then a caution came out and it started dumping down there. It was just tough conditions to be out on slicks, and we just caught a section of the track, when it went green, that was just way too wet. It sent me into the wall pretty much right on the front straightaway. We will come back from this. We have one of the best teams in the paddock and they’ll put it back together and get it ready for the next race.”

 

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 15 wins, 42 podium finishes and 23 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.