Long Beach, California – The Vasser Sullivan Lexus team heads out west for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the first sprint race of the 2024 season. The team comes to the California coast riding high after capturing the GTD PRO victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring last month, the first win for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan at the historic endurance race. Lexus and Vasser Sullivan also arrive in Long Beach looking to repeat as event winners with the No. 14 claiming victory in GTD PRO last season, which was coupled with the No. 12 finishing third in GTD.

 

This year’s Grand Prix of Long Beach will be vastly different than the last two years with only the GTP and GTD categories taking part in the 100-minute sprint race. Lexus and Vasser Sullivan will field two cars in the GTD class with the mainstay No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 and the No. 89 RC F GT3, honoring Lexus’ entry into the U.S. luxury automotive market in 1989.

 

Lexus factory driver, Jack Hawksworth will pilot the No. 12 machine with GTD regular, Frankie Montecalvo. This will be the first time Hawksworth and Montecalvo will be paired together in a RC F GT3 and is Hawksworth’s first action in the GTD class since Mid-Ohio in 2022. Last season, Hawksworth earned the pole position at Long Beach in the GTD PRO category and he, along with Ben Barnicoat, went on to earn the first win at the historic street circuit for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus.  Montecalvo has stood on the podium the last two races at Long Beach with back-to-back third-place finishes.

 

Barnicoat, and Montecalvo’s co-driver in GTD, Parker Thompson, will be behind the wheel of the No. 89 RC F GT3 entry at Long Beach. This will be the first time the Brit and Canadian will pilot an RC F GT3 together. This will be Barnicoat’s second GTD class race, which he claimed victory in his only category start in 2022 at Detroit with Kyle Kirkwood. Thompson has had a promising start to his first full-time season in GTD, starting on the front row in the first two races of the season, including pole position at the Rolex 24 in January.

 

The Grand Prix of Long Beach will be broadcast live on USA Network and Peacock on Saturday, April 20, at 4:30 p.m. ET. To keep up with all of the racing action, follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by using #LexusPerformance.

 

Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes 

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 

Can you describe your outlook heading into Long Beach this weekend?

“I couldn’t be more excited about the first sprint race of the season. Long Beach is always a crazy race that has shown great success for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. To make it even more exciting, we made the decision to shuffle the driver lineup. After six years, Jack (Hawksworth) and I will finally be able to share a car. We look forward to battling for a win come race day. “

 

JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 

What are your feelings heading into Long Beach back in GTD competition?

"I’m very excited to be returning to Long Beach! It is a fantastic circuit with a lot of history, and it is always fun to mix it up a bit and go street racing. With GTD PRO not competing at this event, I'll be teaming up with Frankie (Montecalvo) in the 12 car. I am really excited about this. I have been teammates and good friends with Frankie since we both joined the Vasser Sullivan team at the end of 2018, but we have never actually had the opportunity to share a car so this will be really cool! We had a great Lexus RC F GT3 here last year and were able to win. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off last year, roll off the truck strong and then it will all be about focusing on executing a perfect weekend."

 

PARKER THOMPSON, No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3 

How are you feeling going into this weekend at Long Beach?

“I couldn’t be more motivated headed into the sprint side of the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship! I’ve made my career in sprint racing formats to date, so I feel a sense of comfort even though I know these races will be uncharted territory for me with a lot to learn in a short period of time. I don’t think I could have picked a more fairy-tale track for my first start though! Long Beach has incredible history and a special place in my heart already, but to honor Lexus entering the U.S. market in 1989 with the No. 89 entry alongside longtime friend, Ben Barnicoat, will put this event over the top for me! Time to head to the Beach!”

 

What will it be like driving the No. 89 car with Parker Thompson this weekend?

“I'm so happy to be heading back to Long Beach! This track really holds a special place in my heart, it was where I achieved my first podium as a Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA driver, before getting the first win of our championship-winning season here last year. On top of those memories, it's just a really fun track to drive on and a fantastic venue. It's variance from high speed to technical corners, the different strategic challenge it brings with it being a shorter race than normal, IMSA running the course along with INDYCAR, all that provides so much fun and adrenaline to the race weekend. It's going to feel very different racing against my longtime Lexus teammate, Jack (Hawksworth), but I'm really looking forward to racing with Parker (Thompson) for the first time in No. 89 SealMaster RC F GT3! I think both cars have incredible lineups and a great chance at making it to victory lane in Long Beach.”

 

The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its eighth season in the GTD class, and third year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Over the last six seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 13 wins, 39 podium finishes and 19 pole positions with the RC F GT3. Lexus won its first full-season IMSA GTD PRO Manufacturers Championship on the strength of two wins and podium positions in nine of 11 races in 2023. 

 

Lexus' passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.