Weekend Racing: Lexus RC F GT3 Gets First Blancpain Win


There were two races this weekend featuring the Lexus RC F GT3, including a first-ever victory for Lexus in the European Blancpain GT Series.

Blancpain GT Series

The Emil Frey #14 Lexus RC F GT3 won its first Blancpain race in dramatic fashion, with driver Alberto Costa Balboa taking the lead in the final lap of the six-hour Endurance Cup at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

Lexus RC F Blancpain 114

Emil Frey Racing now leads the Endurance Cup team’s championship standings. The next outing for the team will be a two-race Sprint Cup meeting at Misano, Italy, from 22-24 June.

IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship

Lexus RC F Belle Isle

The 3GT Racing #14 Lexus RC F GT3 finished sixth in the GTD class and 18th overall in Saturday’s IMSA WeatherTech Championship race at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. The driving team of Dominik Baumann and Kyle Marcelli were in the top six for the majority of a race that only saw three lead changes within the GTD class.

The #15 Lexus RC F GT3 finished 12th in class (25th overall) with drivers David Heinemeier Hansson and Jack Hawksworth.

Lexus RC F GT3 #15

EuropeRacingUSA
Comments
This is amazing. Lexus showing its presence in motorsports is huge for them, especially in Europe.

If you guys haven't heard, Japan (Super GT) and Germany (DTM) are making strides to merge into a series that has been initially dubbed as "Class One". Both bosses have been trying to extend their hands in terms of friendship and widen their presence around the world. Now for Lexus, this is good news because they now have the opportunity to have a huge presence in Germany, that they didn't have before (was only WRC and WEC with Toyota generally). This will boost Lexus' image like no other and we won't have to worry as much in terms of competition and image much longer for Europe. German car manufacturers are hoping the same, as they're also trying to have a huge presence in Japan too. Both Europeans and Japanese have huge amounts of respect for each other, so this process of a merged, single, high profile GT racing series is really good news for everyone. I really cannot wait for this to happen, some reports say the merger may occur somewhere in the next 2 years. This is a big step for everyone, and this represents how relevant GT racing still is.

Now for the "nitty gritty", there has been some demonstrations both in Japan and in Germany to give fans a taste, and they have been raving from both sides. There has been talk of regulations, where DTM has made strides to make the move from the V8 engines that has made them so popular, to a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, very similar to Super GT regulations for 2019. This was at a pause because Mercedes-Benz still wanted the V8's to happen, but now that this is their last season in DTM, it has made the merger much easier. It was apparent that the merger was going to happen a while back, and also the switch in power units, but Mercedes-Benz were adamant on the V8 engines, so it stayed.

Now that things are going to clear up a little, with 2019 being a transition year, probably being the last year for both series on its own, the merger will probably happen in 2020. I hope this comes true, because this move will make Lexus hugely successful in Europe (and other manufacturers of course).
This is amazing. Lexus showing its presence in motorsports is huge for them, especially in Europe.

If you guys haven't heard, Japan (Super GT) and Germany (DTM) are making strides to merge into a series that has been initially dubbed as "Class One". Both bosses have been trying to extend their hands in terms of friendship and widen their presence around the world. Now for Lexus, this is good news because they now have the opportunity to have a huge presence in Germany, that they didn't have before (was only WRC and WEC with Toyota generally). This will boost Lexus' image like no other and we won't have to worry as much in terms of competition and image much longer for Europe. German car manufacturers are hoping the same, as they're also trying to have a huge presence in Japan too. Both Europeans and Japanese have huge amounts of respect for each other, so this process of a merged, single, high profile GT racing series is really good news for everyone. I really cannot wait for this to happen, some reports say the merger may occur somewhere in the next 2 years. This is a big step for everyone, and this represents how relevant GT racing still is.

Now for the "nitty gritty", there has been some demonstrations both in Japan and in Germany to give fans a taste, and they have been raving from both sides. There has been talk of regulations, where DTM has made strides to make the move from the V8 engines that has made them so popular, to a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, very similar to Super GT regulations for 2019. This was at a pause because Mercedes-Benz still wanted the V8's to happen, but now that this is their last season in DTM, it has made the merger much easier. It was apparent that the merger was going to happen a while back, and also the switch in power units, but Mercedes-Benz were adamant on the V8 engines, so it stayed.

Now that things are going to clear up a little, with 2019 being a transition year, probably being the last year for both series on its own, the merger will probably happen in 2020. I hope this comes true, because this move will make Lexus hugely successful in Europe (and other manufacturers of course).
This is amazing. Lexus showing its presence in motorsports is huge for them, especially in Europe.

If you guys haven't heard, Japan (Super GT) and Germany (DTM) are making strides to merge into a series that has been initially dubbed as "Class One". Both bosses have been trying to extend their hands in terms of friendship and widen their presence around the world. Now for Lexus, this is good news because they now have the opportunity to have a huge presence in Germany, that they didn't have before (was only WRC and WEC with Toyota generally). This will boost Lexus' image like no other and we won't have to worry as much in terms of competition and image much longer for Europe. German car manufacturers are hoping the same, as they're also trying to have a huge presence in Japan too. Both Europeans and Japanese have huge amounts of respect for each other, so this process of a merged, single, high profile GT racing series is really good news for everyone. I really cannot wait for this to happen, some reports say the merger may occur somewhere in the next 2 years. This is a big step for everyone, and this represents how relevant GT racing still is.

Now for the "nitty gritty", there has been some demonstrations both in Japan and in Germany to give fans a taste, and they have been raving from both sides. There has been talk of regulations, where DTM has made strides to make the move from the V8 engines that has made them so popular, to a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, very similar to Super GT regulations for 2019. This was at a pause because Mercedes-Benz still wanted the V8's to happen, but now that this is their last season in DTM, it has made the merger much easier. It was apparent that the merger was going to happen a while back, and also the switch in power units, but Mercedes-Benz were adamant on the V8 engines, so it stayed.

Now that things are going to clear up a little, with 2019 being a transition year, probably being the last year for both series on its own, the merger will probably happen in 2020. I hope this comes true, because this move will make Lexus hugely successful in Europe (and other manufacturers of course).
Great job Gazoo for another great win, continuing the legacy of the LFA. Although IIRC LFA competed in SP8 class and was finishing 1st in class and something like 14th (or maybe 30 something) overall? I truly miss the LFA days, maybe if they went up in class, the LFA could've been winning the N24 outright? I'm not a big racing fan so excuse my ignorance but LFA days were truly exciting for me.

Some of the photos included were really nice, thanks for the update!
Great job Gazoo for another great win, continuing the legacy of the LFA. Although IIRC LFA competed in SP8 class and was finishing 1st in class and something like 14th (or maybe 30 something) overall? I truly miss the LFA days, maybe if they went up in class, the LFA could've been winning the N24 outright? I'm not a big racing fan so excuse my ignorance but LFA days were truly exciting for me.

Some of the photos included were really nice, thanks for the update!
Great job Gazoo for another great win, continuing the legacy of the LFA. Although IIRC LFA competed in SP8 class and was finishing 1st in class and something like 14th (or maybe 30 something) overall? I truly miss the LFA days, maybe if they went up in class, the LFA could've been winning the N24 outright? I'm not a big racing fan so excuse my ignorance but LFA days were truly exciting for me.

Some of the photos included were really nice, thanks for the update!
Failure, even the RC350 of previous year nuburgring did better, honestly even the 86

In short Toyota failed this year 24hrs Nuburgring
Failure, even the RC350 of previous year nuburgring did better, honestly even the 86

In short Toyota failed this year 24hrs Nuburgring
Failure, even the RC350 of previous year nuburgring did better, honestly even the 86

In short Toyota failed this year 24hrs Nuburgring

L