Short Description
Vasser Sullivan’s Kyle Kirkwood reveals the challenges facing the Lexus RC F GT3 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, underscoring a significant performance gap amid fierce competition.
Read Time
4 minutes and 30 seconds
Main Article
As the Rolex 24 at Daytona approaches, Kyle Kirkwood, a standout from Andretti IndyCar, candidly addresses the uphill battle facing the Vasser Sullivan team with their Lexus RC F GT3. Despite its historical success in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, the aging Lexus GT3 is now contending with a notable 1.5-second performance deficit compared to its competitors. This marks a crucial moment in the car’s final competitive run before the debut of the next-generation Toyota GR GT3 in 2026.
The Lexus RC F GT3, which first hit the track in 2017, has proven to be a formidable contender over the years. Notably, its V8 power helped the Vasser Sullivan duo, Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth, clinch the GTD Pro title in 2023. However, the competition has intensified, with rival manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, and Ford rolling out significant evolutionary updates this year, alongside Lamborghini unveiling an all-new Temerario. Kirkwood acknowledges the challenges posed by this evolving landscape, asserting that while the car remains beautiful and capable, it is also showing its age.
“As drivers, we have confidence in our equipment,” Kirkwood stated to Motorsport.com. “But we recognize that the car is nearing its ceiling, and we must focus on execution and strategy to remain competitive.” The team is working diligently to analyze what can be improved through personnel changes and engineering insights, hoping to extract more performance from the Lexus. In qualifying, the team ended up 12th out of 15 GTD Pro entrants, trailing behind the pole position set by the #3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, highlighting the uphill battle they face.
For Vasser Sullivan, achieving a significant result at Daytona isn’t merely about speed; it requires flawless execution and a bit of luck. Kirkwood stressed that they will need a miracle if they expect to compete at the front, given their current pace. With a clear acknowledgement of the hurdles ahead, the team remains focused on optimizing their strategy for the race weekend. Kirkwood insists, “We are doing everything right, but we just don’t have the outright pace.”
With a second Lexus RC F GT3 also competing in the pro-am GTD class, fans can expect an exciting race weekend. However, Kirkwood’s insights reveal just how critical it is for Vasser Sullivan to execute flawlessly if they hope to secure a coveted class win at this prestigious endurance event.
Short Summary
Kyle Kirkwood from Vasser Sullivan has acknowledged the Lexus RC F GT3’s challenges leading into the Rolex 24 at Daytona. With a significant performance gap to leading competitors, the team must focus on flawless execution and strategy to have any hope of success in this crucial race.
