RC F GT3 Earns Fifth-Place Result in Six Hours of the Glen
The AVS No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 finished ninth in the six-hour endurance event with co-drivers Townsend Bell, Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz competing in IMSA's GTD class. The six-hour event was the third of four endurance races for AVS and Lexus during the 2019 season.
Bell paced the GTD field for five laps behind the wheel of the No. 12 Lexus, while Hawksworth (two laps) and Frommenwiler (two) combined to lead four laps in the No. 14 RC F GT3 around the 11-turn, 3.4-mile Upstate New York road course.
Lexus is currently third in the GTD overall manufacturer point standing. In the overall GTD team standings, the AVS No. 14 Lexus moved into second-place and the No. 12 RC F GT3 sits third in the overall points.
The AVS Lexus RC F GT3s have combined to earn two wins, four podiums, seven top-five and nine top-10 results in five races this season.
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AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Driver Quotes
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you talk about your three stints behind the wheel of the Lexus RC F GT3?
'It seemed like we were making really good progress during the race and the RC F GT3 seemed fast. I thought it was between us, the 86, the 57 and 8 before the caution came out. The caution came out and I managed to pass the 8 (Ryan Dalziel) on the restart and then I was right there with the 86 (Mario Farnbacher) and 57 (Katherine Legge). Then when we came to pit, I guess everyone just topped off with fuel or something, so we cycled out quite far back. After the pit stop, it was very difficult to pass the 44 (Andy Lally) and I had some contact with him, which took a big hole out of the front of the car. So, I basically had a sail on the front of the car. I had no straight-line speed, which is a shame. I think I probably would've had the speed to have gone for at least a podium. It didn't work out today, but we got some good points and we'll move on to Canada next weekend.'
RICHARD HEISTAND, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How was your race today at Watkins Glen?
'It was really my first experience in an endurance race where we didn't make any mistakes. We were on pace for a podium and then we just got a caution at the wrong time, which kind of took it away from us. Now I understand how that can go one way or another. That's just endurance racing. I think we did a good job and had it gone our way a little bit more we would've been on the podium. We'll try again next week in Canada.'
PHILIPP FROMMENWILER, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What was your experience like racing the Lexus RC F GT3 today?
'It was a pretty tight race today fighting all six hours. I think all of the drivers did a great job. The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team did a fantastic job. We had a really good setup and unfortunately at the end it was not enough for the podium. We had small damage to the car, but we'll get them next time. Even though we didn't finish on the podium it was a very, very good weekend.'
TOWNSEND BELL, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you talk about today's six-hour race?
'I'm really impressed with both of my co-drivers today. They were terrific. Great pace, good decisions and they did some terrific driving out there. I just love racing with all of those guys. We got lucky on the yellow to get ourselves back in the game and then unlucky. A lot of little things turned into big issues today in terms of a couple penalties and just things that were outside of our control. It's amazing how some little stuff can snowball into bigger issues. We finished on the lead lap, but there's a lot more to come.'
FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How did your team perform in today's six-hour race at Watkins Glen?
'It was a great team effort. I felt like the odds were stacked up against us this weekend. The team opted to change an engine, so we skipped qualifying and we had to start from the back. We were up there and led the race. That's hats off to the whole AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team for getting us there. I think we just had a little bad luck today, but other than that the team did a phenomenal job and I look forward to going into Canadian Tire Motorsports Park next weekend. It's one of my favorite tracks and I plan on having a great showing there.'
AARON TELITZ, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How was your race?
'It was a good day. Our car was really quick. We made some great strategy calls early to get up in the top three. We were running in the top three for a lot of the race legitimately on pace and on strategy. The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN guys did such a great job. This Lexus RC F was just great here at Watkins Glen, which is a lovely track to drive. I had a great weekend, personally, but I know the team didn't get the results that I think we deserved.'
posted on conceptcarz.com
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (July 1, 2019)– The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN (AVS) No. 14 RC F GT3 earned its third consecutive top-five finish with a fifth-place result in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on Sunday at Watkins Glen International with co-drivers Jack Hawksworth, Richard Heistand and Philipp Frommenwiler.
The Lexus RC F GT3 heads north this week for IMSA racing action on Sunday, July 7 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
