Podium, Pole Position, Quick Laps Highlight Race Weekend for Lexus

Barrie, Ontario native Marcelli led 25 laps late in the 2 hour, 40 minute sprint event to register the second podium finish this season for 3GT Racing and the Lexus RC F GT3 after the No. 14 Lexus also claimed the team's first victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in May.

Along with the podium finish, both of the team's RC F GT3 entries ran in the top-three for the majority of the race – with the two Lexus' posting quickest laps among GTD entrants – and combined to lead 58 laps on the 10-corner road course in Canada.

The No. 15 Lexus finished seventh in class with drivers Jack Hawksworth and David Heinemeier Hansson after starting from the pole position. During Sunday's race, Hawksworth recorded the fastest lap among GTD competitors and led the first 33 circuits to tie for the most laps led. It was the third time this season he was quickest on-track and led the GTD class to green, also claiming top-honors in both at Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen.

Lexus is currently fourth in IMSA's provisional GTD manufacturer points, and the 3GT Racing No. 15 Lexus ranks fifth in the provisional team championship standings and the No.1 4 sits seventh.

Dominik Baumann, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

How do you feel after an up and down race?

'It was difficult. It was a crazy race. We had so many yellows and it was just one of my craziest races over here in North America. It was crazy watching Kyle (Marcelli) defending, attacking, it was just crazy for me from the pits. We were disappointed in the beginning because we lost a lot of time in the first pit stop, so we had to change something on our strategy. We had a perfect call from our pit crew. We stopped early and we had another stop and we gained seven seconds on the pit stop and that was our way to the success. Kyle had an amazing middle stint – he overtook four or five cars – and at the end it was just driving and keeping position.'

Kyle Marcelli, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

How does it feel to get this podium finish at your hometown race track?

'I think we have to be pleased. Of course, we're competitors and we want to win and it's a good thing when you're upset with second. We had a fast car, but we really struggled at the end of this stint with our rear tires and we knew that, so we did not need the yellows. I needed it to stay green. Our race really was the second stint – we decided to stop early and try to undercut some of the competitors by getting a really quick out lap and that paid off and then on the restart I was just super aggressive and I think we passed four cars, which eventually inherited the lead. And we led for – I don't know – the last 40 minutes or the first 40 minutes of the last stint and I knew the car behind was catching me, but it's one thing to catch the competitor, another thing to get by. This place is difficult to pass, but again we just – we struggled for traction out of the last corner. We just had to settle in second place, so thank you 3GT Racing and second podium for the RC F GT3.'

Jack Hawksworth, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3

How was your race today in the Lexus RC F GT3?

'It was a very disappointing finish. I was anticipating the restart and when I went to go, still had too much track pick-up on my tires. I slid wide in the last corner, which allowed the 44 (Andy Lally) to catch me, and then slide wide in Turn 1, and that allowed him to pass me. I actually went all the way off the track, catching a lot of debris that then caused the tires to slide off and allowed others to pass me. It wasn't the result we wanted, but we'll look forward to Lime Rock in two weeks.'

David Heinemeier Hansson, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3

How do you feel after today's race?

'It's a shame that we were running in the top-three for nearly the whole race and ended up without a podium. I'm happy for the 14 guys, but we had a great car today. We're ready for a win.'

Photo credit: Lexus
posted on conceptcarz.com

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