Lexus RC F GT3 Scores Second Victory in IMSA WeatherTech Championship


The 3GT Racing Lexus team have scored their second victory in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship, with the #14 RC F GT3 winning the GTD class in this weekend’s race at Michelin GT Challenge in Virginia.

Drivers Dominik Baumann and Kyle Marcelli lead the race for the last 18 laps, fending off a last minute push by the #86 Acura — here’s Baumann talking about the final laps:

“I saw the 86 (Katherine Legge) coming in the mirror and it was getting bigger and bigger. A bit like Mid-Ohio, we struggled a little bit with tire degradation on the rear tires and I was just trying to make no mistakes. You have to change your driving style from new tires compared to used tires. It’s very demanding to not make any mistakes. The limit is so small and I just tried to stay focused. She (Katherine Legge) made a mistake in the second to last lap so I had the gap again.

Going out of (turn) 11, the ‘Oak Tree,’ she was next to me and the only thing I had in my mind was, ‘You brake later. You brake later.’ And, that’s what I did. She backed off a little bit and I could do (turns) 13 and 14 and the last three corners it’s impossible to overtake, so from there we won the race.”

The #15 RC F driven by Jack Hawksworth and David Heinemeier Hansson finished tenth in the GTD class.

RacingUSA
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