IMSA News: Vasser Sullivan announces drivers for Long Beach
Vasser Sullivan announced today they will enter two Lexus RC F GT3s in the GTD class for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18- 20, on the streets of Long Beach, California.
The GTD PRO category will not compete at Long Beach, so the team has adjusted its driver lineup as follows:
Jack Hawksworth, who is coming off a win at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and a win last year at the Grand Prix of Long Beach in GTD PRO, will team-up with Frankie Montecalvo for this year’s Long Beach event. They will pilot the SealMaster liveried No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3.
Ben Barnicoat, who is also coming off the GTD PRO win at Sebring and co-drove to a win with Hawksworth last year at Long Beach, will join Parker Thompson in the SealMaster liveried No. 89 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3.
Quotes
Vasser Sullivan Racing Team Principals Jimmy Vasser and James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan:
“The Long Beach Grand Prix is quite simply “special” for our team and Lexus. We are coming to Long Beach with one expectation…to win again. Pairing Frankie (Montecalvo) and Jack (Hawksworth) in the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3, alongside Ben (Barnicoat) and Parker (Thompson) in the No. 89 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, gives us the best shot at that.”
Jeff Bal, Senior Manager – Motorsports, Lexus Division:
“We’re excited to return to the streets of Long Beach and honored to have Vasser Sullivan run a second GTD entry alongside the Vasser Sullivan No. 12 RC F GT3. As a tribute to the year Lexus entered the U.S. luxury automotive race, the team will run the number 89 alongside the 12 as a nod to 35 years here in the U.S. Since 1989, Lexus has built a reputation on unprecedented quality and reliability along with consistently delivering an industry leading guest experience, shaping the luxury industry to where it is today. ‘No best, only better’ is present everywhere within Lexus, and the same is true when it comes to racing.”
Notes:
Hawksworth and Barnicoat are the defending IMSA WeatherTech GTD PRO Driver, Team and Manufacturer Champions. They have earned podium finishes in 14 of 17 races dating back to a third place result at Lime Rock Park in July 2022.
Hawksworth has been with the Lexus GT3 program since its inception and is contesting his sixth season with Vasser Sullivan. He has scored 11 wins with the team and has 12 total career IMSA victories. Hawksworth has captured seven pole positions with Vasser Sullivan, 11 with Lexus and 13 overall career poles in IMSA.
Montecalvo is contesting his sixth season with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. He has scored two victories and four poles for the team.
Barnicoat returns for his third season with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. He has earned six career wins, five in GTD PRO and one in in the GTD class (his only previous GTD start) with Kyle Kirkwood at Detroit in 2022.
Thompson is in his second season with Vasser Sullivan. This is his first season as a full-time driver for the team after competing in the 2023 endurance races. In just his third race with the team, he co-drove the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus to victory at Watkins Glen with Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz in 2023. Thompson has won one GTD pole which he captured in his first qualifying attempt at the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.