Lexus RC F GT3 Earns Second Mid-Ohio Win

By clublexus - May 6, 2019

AIM Vasser Sullivan claimed first victory at weekend event.

The AIM Vasser Sullivan (AVS) No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 was victorious in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday, May 5, with co-drivers Jack Hawksworth and Richard Heistand (pictured below).

The win marks the third for Lexus in IMSA GTD competition, first for AIM Vasser Sullivan and the second victory for the RC F GT3 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Heistand earned his first-career IMSA pole position on Saturday and led the field for the first eight laps of the race, and then ran in second-place until turning driving duties over to Hawksworth. The 28-year-old Englishman drove the final two stints of the two-hour, 40-minute event, leading twice for 21 laps as he held off his closest competitor coming down the stretch.

Hawksworth ran the second-quickest GTD lap of the race, while Heistand ran the fourth-fastest GTD circuit in the No. 14 Lexus.

The AVS No. 12 RC F GT3 finished fifth in Sunday’s race with co-drivers Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo. This is the second pair of top-five results for AIM Vasser Sullivan in just the team’s third IMSA race.

Lexus is currently second in the unofficial GTD manufacturer point standings following three races. The. No. 12 Lexus maintains second in the GTD championship point standings, while the No. 14 moved up to third in points with the win.

FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED: Jack Hawksworth (l.) and Richard Heistand gave AIM Vasser Sullivan the team’s first victory in just their third race.

“This has been an awesome weekend,” said Hawksworth. “After a difficult Sebring, the team bounced back. Richard (Heistand) did a fantastic job in qualifying and gave us an awesome opportunity in the race. Great first stint, and there at the end I got the opportunity to take the lead and did it. The guys were spotless on the pit stops. The Lexus RC F GT3 was working perfect all race long. I’m so happy to get our first win so early with AIM Vasser Sullivan as well. Everyone is doing a great job and just thank you to everyone. This is awesome.”

“This is the first win for AIM Vasser Sullivan and my first win in a race car since 2006,” added Heistand. “Jack’s first win in a while. He’s one of the fastest drivers here and probably deserved a win before now. This is the third win for Lexus so just a special day. I think we’re both happy with how we drove. I haven’t done a lot of racing, but I’ve been around long enough to know that these days don’t happen that often and we’re going to enjoy it.”

The Lexus RC F GT3 will return to IMSA racing action on June 1 in Detroit to compete at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park street circuit.