Lexus LC to Return in Next Year’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring Race


Lexus has announced that a modified LC coupe will race in next year’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The LC has been built to race specifications, and incorporates advanced development technologies destined for future production vehicles — here’s a vague list of improvements:

  • Body technology – optimal low-weight and high-rigidity structure, aerodynamic components, and driver assistance technologies
  • Suspension technology – low-weight and high-rigidity components
  • Engine development – increased output from 2UR-GSE engine, reduced friction, and lower centre of gravity

This is an improved version of the LC coupe that finished 96th overall at this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race, and will retain the same driver lineup of Takeshi Tsuchiya, Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo, and Yuichi Nakayama:

Lexus LC Driver Lineup

From the Lexus UK blog:

[Driver] Gamou has the additional responsibility of vehicle set-up. Although development of the Lexus LC endurance racer for 2019 has been in progress for a relatively short amount of time, he reports that the coupe is already improved beyond expectations. The vital dialogue between car and driver is much smoother than before, and practical elements such as the electronic rear-view mirrors provide clear, fog-free images on the dashboard monitor.

Gamou continued: “Through testing in Japan and Germany, I hope to pursue more than just better lap times. I hope we can build a car that is more comfortable and fun to drive.”

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring starts on June 20th, 2019, as part of a four-day weekend event. This will mark the thirteenth consecutive year that Lexus has participated in the race.

Lexus LC: First GenerationRacing
Comments








LexusTechSA
Link to qualifying results for Super GT

https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round3/3/gt500

https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round3/3/gt300

So Lexus failed in the GT500 so far as well as Nuburgring

I think there's something wrong this season
LexusTechSA
Link to qualifying results for Super GT

https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round3/3/gt500

https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round3/3/gt300

So Lexus failed in the GT500 so far as well as Nuburgring

I think there's something wrong this season
Another thing I forgot to mention. The Blancpain GT Series entrance is one of the biggest moves Lexus has made. It has made them a huge player among the "big boy" cars that come from Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Bentley. Currently, they need to do plenty of work in terms of the championships but they're still doing a commendable job. Still, they need to win it all. Go Lexus!
Another thing I forgot to mention. The Blancpain GT Series entrance is one of the biggest moves Lexus has made. It has made them a huge player among the "big boy" cars that come from Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Bentley. Currently, they need to do plenty of work in terms of the championships but they're still doing a commendable job. Still, they need to win it all. Go Lexus!
I've never followed the Lexus racing program in recent years since I am a WRC guy. Could someone summarize how well the RC fares in GT racing?

GT500 is just stupid. I couldn't care less about silouette cars especially when there's no obligatory road homologation.
I've never followed the Lexus racing program in recent years since I am a WRC guy. Could someone summarize how well the RC fares in GT racing?

GT500 is just stupid. I couldn't care less about silouette cars especially when there's no obligatory road homologation.
ssun30
I've never followed the Lexus racing program in recent years since I am a WRC guy. Could someone summarize how well the RC fares in GT racing.
The RC F GT3 program looks to be picking up steam:
  • After a season and a half with little success, 3GT Racing won their first IMSA race this month.
  • The European program had more success, and was competitive in VLN in 2016 and the GT Open in 2017. Emil Frey Racing is now in the Blancpain GT series, a considerably more prestigious championship, and have managed a third place finish in four races this year.
  • The RC F GT3 in Japan has really struggled, but a newly formed team with SuperGT legend Morio Nitta just finished first in this weekend's race.
This could just be a string of good luck, but hopefully the teams on all three continents will continue to be competitive. I know the first place finish by 3GT has energized my interest.
ssun30
I've never followed the Lexus racing program in recent years since I am a WRC guy. Could someone summarize how well the RC fares in GT racing.
The RC F GT3 program looks to be picking up steam:
  • After a season and a half with little success, 3GT Racing won their first IMSA race this month.
  • The European program had more success, and was competitive in VLN in 2016 and the GT Open in 2017. Emil Frey Racing is now in the Blancpain GT series, a considerably more prestigious championship, and have managed a third place finish in four races this year.
  • The RC F GT3 in Japan has really struggled, but a newly formed team with SuperGT legend Morio Nitta just finished first in this weekend's race.
This could just be a string of good luck, but hopefully the teams on all three continents will continue to be competitive. I know the first place finish by 3GT has energized my interest.

L