Videos: The Lexus RC F GT3 Race Car on Fuji Speedway

Lexus Japan has released two expertly filmed videos of the RC F GT3 race car: The RC F as a consumer car is a necessary vehicle in the Lexus lineup, but it’s arguably more important as a racing platform — nothing will bring more performance credibility to the brand than winning on the track.
Kevin · January 20th, 2015

Lexus Introduces New Global Racing Program

Lexus revealed details on their new racing program during their Detroit Auto Show press conference yesterday. Alongside a continued presence in the Japanese Super GT series, the brand plans to introduce the RC F GT3 race car into the FIA GT3 category in Europe this year, with plans to race in a “yet-to-be-determined series” in …

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Kevin · January 14th, 2015

Lexus Considering V8 Supercars Racing Series in Australia

Lexus Australia recently confirmed its interest in taking part in the country’s V8 Supercars touring car championship series — from Car Advice: “We’ve had very high-level discussions with V8 Supercars,” Hanley told CarAdvice at the local launch of the Lexus RC350 in Melbourne today. “V8 Supercars never approached me, any interest we have shown has …

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test · December 9th, 2014

Lexus RC F Teams Finish Second & Third Overall in Super GT Season

The KeePer TOMS’s racing team of Ito Daisuke & Andrea Caldarelli have won the Super GT Round 8 GT500 class in the #37 Lexus RC F. The race took place at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. This was the final race of the season. Here are highlights from the race courtesy of the Super GT …

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Kevin · November 18th, 2014

First Photos of the Lexus RC F CCS-R Race Car

The very first photos of the Lexus RC F CCS-R race car have been posted by Japanese website Response — here are some of the images: There are no solid details quite yet, but Lexus F chief engineer Yukihiro Yaguchi did discuss the track-optimized RC F with Motoring Australia: Yaguchi confirmed the two RC Fs …

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Kevin · October 29th, 2014

Video: Lexus RC F Goes for Official Nürburgring Lap Time

Let’s finish up the week with this quick glimpse of a Lexus RC F & IS F on an attempt to set the coupe’s official Nürburgring lap time: (It’s all so subjective with a video like this, but doesn’t the RC F look so much faster than the IS F? Wow.)
Kevin · October 17th, 2014

PETRONAS TOM’S Lexus RC F Wins Super GT Round 7

The PETRONAS TOM’S racing team of Kazuki Nakajima & James Rossiter have won the Super GT Round 6 GT500 class in the #36 Lexus RC F. The race took place at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand. This is the second round in a row that the PETRONAS TOM’S racing team have won. Here are …

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Kevin · October 6th, 2014

BEYOND Magazine Feature: The Lexus RC F GT3 Race Car

Lexus International has just published a BEYOND Magazine feature on the RC F GT3 race car and chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi: And “Lexus’s latest carbon fiber technology has been applied wherever appropriate,” says Yaguchi, “to keep the car’s weight to a minimum.” He continues: “With attention to detail in mind, we’ve fine-tuned everything from the …

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Kevin · October 1st, 2014

Lexus RC F Chief Engineer Confirms CCS-R Race Car Variant

Lexus RC F chief engineer Yukihiro Yaguchi has confirmed that a CCS-R variant of the coupe will be built — from Motoring Australia: Yaguchi confirmed the two RC Fs would share the same engine and eight-speed automatic transmission and the same outputs. If it follows the example of the IS F CCS-R, then the RC …

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Kevin · September 24th, 2014

PETRONAS TOM’S Lexus RC F Wins Super GT Round 6

The PETRONAS TOM’S racing team of Kazuki Nakajima & James Rossiter have won the 2014 Suzuka Circuit Super GT Round 6 GT500 class in the #36 Lexus RC F. The ENEOS SUSTINA RC F team of Kazuya Oshima & Yuji Kunimoto were the next highest Lexus team at fifth place. Here are highlights from the …

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Kevin · September 1st, 2014

No Podium Finish for Lexus Racing Teams at Super GT Round 5

The Lexus Racing teams missed a podium finish at the 2014 Super GT Round 5 at Fuji Speedway — the top team was fifth place PETRONAS TOM’S finishing 5th, followed by KeePer TOM’S team at 9th. Here are highlights from the race courtesy of the Super GT Youtube channel: Despite the 9th place finish, the …

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Kevin · August 11th, 2014

Zent Cerumo Lexus RC F Wins Super GT Round 4

The ZENT CERUMO racing team of Yuji Tachikawa & Hirate have won the 2014 Super GT Round 4 GT500 class in the #1 Lexus RC F. The KeePer TOM’S RC F team of Daisuke Ito & Andrea Caldarelli finished second. Here are highlights from the race courtesy of the Super GT Youtube channel: The next …

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Kevin · July 21st, 2014

Video: Lexus RC F Racing at Goodwood

Lexus UK has released a final wrap-up video of the RC F at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: One thing that went unmentioned in the video was a spinout by Didier Auriol during the race days — here’s a photo from GT Spirit: The spinout had no lasting effect — the RC F prototype was …

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Kevin · July 12th, 2014

Video: The Lexus RC F at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Lexus RC F made its driving debut this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — here’s video from the initial test run: RC chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi was there for the real run up the hill, and filmed this quick video: Former World Rally Champion driver Didier Auriol was the one behind the …

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Kevin · June 29th, 2014

Lexus RC F to Participate in Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Lexus RC F will make its first-ever public driving appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week in England. The event will run from June 26-29, and the RC F is expected to make the climb on Thursday. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual world-famous hill climb that features a rare …

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Kevin · June 24th, 2014

Nürburgring 24h Race: Lexus LFA Updates

Toyota President Akio Toyoda will be one of the four drivers racing the Gazoo Racing #48Lexus LFA in the 41st annual Nürburgring 24 hour race this weekend in Germany, joining the team of Takayuki Kinoshita, Hiroaki Ishiura, & Kazuya Oshima. The LFA will be racing in the SP8 class. A second prototype #53 LFA Code …

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Kevin · June 21st, 2014

Two Lexus LFAs to Participate in This Weekend’s 24h of Nürburgring Race

This weekend, two Lexus LFA teams will be racing in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. This marks the eighth consecutive year that an LFA has participated in the race. The Teams The first team is the #48 LFA driving in the SP8 class, here’s some information about the drivers: Takayuki Kinoshita: Mr. Kinoshita started his …

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Kevin · June 20th, 2014

Video: Lexus IS F CCS-R Race Car Added to Gran Turismo 6

The Lexus IS F CCS-R has been added to Gran Turismo 6 as part of a major game update — here are some videos featuring the Lexus race car: (Also joining the IS F CCS-R is the Toyota TS030 Hybrid race car — looks like it’s time to dust off the Playstation 3.)
Kevin · June 19th, 2014

Lexus Racing Teams Stumble in Super GT Round 3

Super GT Round 3 at Autopolis in Kyushu was not a good race for Lexus teams — ranking highest was the KeePer TOM’s RC F team of Daisuke Ito & Andrea Caldarelli with a fourth place finish. The Petronas TOM’s team of James Rossiter & Ryo Hirakawa finished close behind in fifth. Here are the …

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Kevin · June 2nd, 2014

Lexus RC F GT3 Race Car Spotted in Japan

The first test of the Lexus RC F GT3 race car took place last week at the Okayama International Circuit in Japan: Developed over two years by Lexus International and subsidiary Techno Craft, the RC F GT3 concept is powered by a modified version of the RC F’s V8 engine that produces 540+ hp (397kw). …

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Kevin · May 21st, 2014

Video: Full Lap of the Nürburgring in a Lexus LFA Race Car

The Lexus LFA teams didn’t race in this weekend’s VLN4 race at the Nürburgring, but Gazoo Racing did post a video showing a full lap of the track with driver Kazuya Oshima from an earlier race: This lap is from the VLN2 race in April, where Oshima-san & co-driver Kinoshita Takayuki won their class and …

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Kevin · May 19th, 2014

Two Lexus RC F Teams Reach the Podium in Super GT Round 2

The ZENT CERUMO RC F #1 racing team of Yuji Tachikawa & Kohei Hirate placed second in the 2014 Super GT Round 2 held at Fuji Speedway earlier today. The ENEOS SUSTINA RC F team of Kazuya Oshima & Yuji Kunimoto finished third. Here are highlights from the race, from the Super GT Youtube channel: …

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Kevin · May 4th, 2014

Lexus LFA Code X Finishes First Race at Nürburgring

The Lexus LFA Code X had its first race this past weekend in the VLN3 ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup at the Nürburgring in Germany. Driven by Akira Iida, Wakisaka Juichi, and Iguchi Takuto, the new race car finished third in the SPPRO class and 67th overall — photographer Arndt Carsten sent over some photos of the …

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Kevin · April 28th, 2014

Lexus LFA Code X Race Car Testing on Fuji Speedway

The Lexus LFA Code X race car had its final test at the Fuji Speedway in Japan before being shipped to Germany for the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race in June — Gazoo Racing posted some photos on Facebook: The LFA Code X is a significant new development in Lexus racing — the bigger 5.3L V10 …

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Kevin · April 15th, 2014

Lexus LFA Wins Class in 4-Hour VLN2 Race at Nürburgring

The Lexus LFA team of Kinoshita Takayuki & Oshima Kazuya finished the second race of the 2014 Nürburgring VLN Series with a SP8 class win, placing 18th overall. The IS F team that won the first race of the season at the beginning April finished 3rd in the SP8 class and placed 40th overall. Gazoo …

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Kevin · April 14th, 2014

KeePer TOM’s Lexus RC F Team Wins Super GT Round 1

The KeePer TOM’s racing team of Daisuke Ito & Andrea Caldarelli have won the 2014 Super GT Round 1 GT500 class in the #37 Lexus RC F. The ENEOS SUSTINA RC F team of Kazuya Oshima & Yuji Kunimoto finished second. Here are highlights from the race, from the Super GT Youtube channel: The next …

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Kevin · April 6th, 2014

Lexus RC F GT500 Racing This Weekend in Super GT Round One

This weekend, the first race of the 2014 Super GT season takes place at the Okayama International Circuit in Mimasaka, Japan. This will mark the official debut of the RC F GT500 race car, which will be used by six teams — here are the six race cars in their final livery: The six teams …

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Kevin · April 4th, 2014

Video: The Lexus LFA Code X Racecar in Action

The first video of the Lexus LFA Code X race car is here, and it’s something else — you can hear that modified 1LR-GUE V10 engine starting at 0:57: The LFA Code X is a significant new development in Lexus racing — the bigger 5.3L V10 and full carbon frame body would indicate some serious …

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Kevin · March 27th, 2014

Video: Inside the Lexus RC F GT500 Race Car

There’s a new Lexus Racing video with in-car footage of the RC F GT500 race cars: There are six Lexus RC F GT500 teams taking part in the 2014 SuperGT season, which starts April 6th at the Okayama International Circuit.
Kevin · March 21st, 2014

Photo Gallery: The ENEOS Lexus RC F GT500

Autosport Web has a few photos of the ENEOS Lexus RC F GT500 from a recent fan appreciation day: ENEOS driver Kazuya Oshima also posted this photo from the paddock: There are six Lexus RC F GT500 teams taking part in the 2014 SuperGT season, which starts April 6th at the Okayama International Circuit. [Source: …

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Kevin · March 14th, 2014

Lexus LX Offroad Racing Program Cancelled

After five seasons, the Lexus LX offroad racing program has been discontinued — driver Joe Bacal posted the following message on his Facebook page: We were informed yesterday by Lexus USA that they will not be continuing the off-road racing program. It has been an awesome 5 years with much success including 3 Baja 1000 …

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Kevin · March 11th, 2014

Lexus to Build Le Mans GT Racecar for 2016

Lexus will build a new GT race car capable of racing at the Le Mans 24 hours in 2016, according to a Racecar Engineering interview with RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi: The firm surprised many by revealing an all new GT3 car at the Geneva motor show, but the car is the starting point …

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Kevin · March 10th, 2014

Photo Gallery: The ZENT CERUMO Lexus RC F GT500

The ZENT CERUMO Lexus RC F GT500 recently took part in a fan appreciation day at the Suzuka circuit in Japan — here are some photos from Racerlink & Autosport Web: There are six Lexus RC F GT500 teams taking part in the 2014 SuperGT season, which starts April 6th at the Okayama International Circuit.
Kevin · March 5th, 2014

The Lexus RC F GT3 Racing Concept

Lexus will debut the RC F GT3 racing concept at the Geneva Motor Show next week, as the first step in the brand’s plan to support GT3 sports car racing in 2015 — here are the first published photos: Developed over two years by Lexus International and subsidiary Techno Craft, the RC F GT3 concept …

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Kevin · February 28th, 2014

Video: Lexus RC F Engine installed in the IS F CCS-R

As previously mentioned, the Lexus IS F CCS-R race car that participated in both the Pikes Peak Hill Climb & 25 Hours of Thunderhill was powered by the 450+ horsepower 5.0L V8 engine from the upcoming RC F — here’s a video of Lexus mechanics swapping the engine: No two ways about it, the sound …

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Kevin · February 18th, 2014

Lexus RC F SPORT & RC F GT3 Concept to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

The Lexus RC F SPORT will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, according to a new press release — here are the details: Based on the striking Lexus RC coupe, the F SPORT model features exclusive, even more sporting and aggressive exterior and interior design features, and enhanced driving dynamics. This announcement comes …

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Kevin · February 13th, 2014

Lexus 2014 SuperGT Teams Announced

At a press conference in Japan, Lexus announced the six SuperGT teams that will be racing the new RC F GT500 — here they are, along with the drivers: #1 Team ZENT CERUMO (Drivers Yuji Tachikawa & Hirate) #6 Team LEMANS ENEOS (Drivers Kazuya Oshima & Yuji Kunimoto) #19 Team WEDSPORTS BANDOH (Drivers to be …

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Kevin · January 30th, 2014

Lexus IS F CCS-R Used as Secret Development Car for RC F V8 Engine

It’s been widely reported that the Lexus IS F CCS-R racecar was essential to the development of the new RC F high performance coupe, and now we’ve found out just how far this influence runs. Lexus USA marketer Jim Lee announced on Instagram today that the IS F CCS-R that raced at Pikes Peak and …

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Kevin · January 23rd, 2014

Photo Gallery: Lexus RC F GT500 Racecar in Detail

At this point, we’ve all seen the Lexus RC F GT500 display from the Tokyo Auto Salon, but Lexus International has just posted up some great photos of the racecar and its super-stylish mannequin pit crew: Can’t wait to see how the Lexus Super GT teams customize their RC Fs, it’s going to be quite …

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Kevin · January 22nd, 2014

More Photos of the Lexus LFA Code X Racecar

The Lexus LFA Code X was introduced at the Tokyo Auto Salon by Toyota president Akio Toyoda last week, here are some photos from Response.jp: The news of the LFA Code X was buried somewhat with the introduction of the new RC F, but it’s a significant new development in Lexus racing — the bigger …

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Kevin · January 21st, 2014

More Photos of the Lexus RC F GT500 Race Car

Carview Japan has more photos of the Lexus RC F GT500 racecar on display this weekend at the Tokyo Auto Salon — here’s a selection: (There’s even more photos over at Autoguide & Response.) There’s also a video of the Lexus Racing booth, starring the two-tone Umbrella girl: (Booming music, tuxedo race suits & top …

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Kevin · January 12th, 2014

Lexus to Enter Modified LFA CODE X in Nürburgring 24 Hour Race

Lexus & Gazoo Racing have announced that an “enhanced sports car research vehicle” called the LFA Code X will be racing in this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race: Compared to the LFA’s base 4.8-liter V10 engine, the research vehicle’s engine displacement has been increased to 5.3 liters and system output and torque has been fine-tuned …

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Kevin · January 10th, 2014

Lexus Racing Announcement at Tokyo Auto Salon This Week?

Lexus has released a rendering of their Lexus Racing display for the Tokyo Auto Salon, a massive aftermarket event held in Japan — here’s the image in full (click for a larger version): While the press release mentions the Super GT racing series, the image shows a vehicle that looks more like an LFA than …

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Kevin · January 6th, 2014