The 3GT Racing Lexus RC F GT3s will compete at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) on Sunday in the second and final GT-only race of the 2018 season.
The Lexus RC F GT3 returns to VIR after its debut at the 3.27-mile road course last August with the No. 14 recording a seventh-place result. The No. 15 Lexus ran among the top-five during much of the VIR race last year, however an on-track incident ended the team’s day early and the No. 15 finished in 13th-place.
Lexus previously experienced quite a bit of success at VIR in Prototype racing between 2004 and 2009. Hall of Fame racer Scott Pruett drove a Lexus-powered Prototype to victory with Luis Diaz in 2005 and again in 2008 with teammate Memo Rojas. Pruett earned pole positions for Lexus in 2004 and 2009 at the Virginia road course.
The 3GT Racing No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 is coming off a sixth-place GTD class result at Wisconsin’s Road America two weeks ago with drivers Dominik Baumann and Kyle Marcelli. Baumann started the sprint race second behind the wheel of the No. 14 RC F GT3 and held his position during his initial stint around the 14-turn, 4.048-mile Wisconsin road course. The driver duo swapped spots in the RC F GT3 under green-flag conditions on Lap 21 and Marcelli ran the remainder of the race in the top-10 before finishing sixth. The 3GT Racing No. 15 RC F GT3 did not compete in the race at Road America after an incident during the morning warm-up session caused damage to the Lexus entry.
Lexus Racing Quotes
DOMINIK BAUMANN, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What is your outlook for GT-only race at VIR?
“We made some good progress at Road America that should help us at VIR. We really improved the car, the in-car balance and drivability. A good step forward for sure. I think the car should suit us in Virginia. We know our competition, we know where we are and where we should be. We will work to get a good set-up for Virginia and I think we’ll be good.”
KYLE MARCELLI, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
Do you enjoy racing at VIR?
“VIR is a nice place to drive, a beautiful circuit to drive. Racing there is quite challenging. It’s very narrow and there are a few overtaking opportunities. You have to make sure that you give the competitor, and the competitor gives you, racing room because the track is narrow. The last year or two they widened it in two or three places, which has helped, but in general it’s quite a narrow circuit.”
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
Are you looking forward to racing at VIR this weekend?
“Last year was a great race, not good in terms of results, but personally one of my best races. We got spun around at the first corner, but I drove all the way through the field and back up to the front. The car worked well for the race, but we just didn’t finish. I think we have a lot more confidence than last year, for sure, and we also have more experience this time. Last year we made the tires last, too, which was good. There’s no magic trick, this year we’ve got more experience and more confidence. It’s a good track and last year we were quite good.”
Source. Lexus
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