Lexus Rolls Into the 2021 Daytona 24
From Vasser Sullivan’s return without AIM to the LC 500 safety car, Lexus hopes to make the ’21 Daytona 24 one to remember.
Last year, AIM Vasser Sullivan delivered a ninth-place finish in the GT Daytona class at the 2020 Daytona 24. The delivery vehicle, of course, was the Lexus RC F GT3. Alas, the next race at Sebring would be postponed until November. The cause? The COVID-19 pandemic, which wrecked everything around it, including the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech Championship season.
Though the pandemic is still with us, things are going to plan thus far in 2021. That said, there’ve been a few changes between the Sebring 12 and this year’s Daytona 24. Let’s have a look at everything Lexus is doing (or has a hand in) for this year’s running, set for January 30 and 31.
Vasser Sullivan AIM-less Under the Florida Sun
The biggest news during the off-season was that of AIM Autosport parting ways with Vasser Sullivan. The two-season partnership brought several wins, plus the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech GTD Sprint Cup Manufacturer’s Championship for Lexus, the brand’s first-ever such title. Alas, circumstances would split the partnership at the end of the 2020 season, per Motorsport Week. We didn’t know what VS had in mind moving forward back then, while AIM said they’d focus on the Toyota GR Supra for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in the Grand Sport class.
New Pilots Step Inside the RC F GT3
Staying in the garage of Jimmy Vasser and James Sullivan for a moment, it turns out what VS had in mind was some new pilots for the RC F GT3. One such name is a familiar face to VS: Townsend Bell Bell helped pilot the RC F to second in the 2019 Daytona 24, as well as being part of a 1-2 GTD finish the same year during the Daytona sprint race.
Another name? Oliver Gavin. Gavin’s name is tied to the history of Corvette Racing, including a Daytona 24 victory in the ‘Vette’s native GT Le Mans class. Per Motorsport.com, he’s also won the Le Mans 24 five times. A win behind the Lexus would mark Gavin’s 50th overall endurance win.
Lexus Sets the Pace in the Pursuit of Perfection
Turns out Lexus themselves couldn’t miss out on the 2021 Daytona 24, either. Leading the field to the green will be a pair of Nagoya’s finest. For the Roar Before the 24, the 2021 IS 350 F Sport handled duties during the IMSA Prototype Challenge and Motul 100 Pole Award.
For the main event, though, it’ll be the LC 500 guiding the prototypes and GTs around the high banks of Daytona. No photos have been revealed at this writing. We’re sure it’ll look amazing at work, though.
Where Lexus Stands Thus Far
After the Motul 100 Pole Award, held January 24, the No. 14 RC F GT3 finished in fourth in GTD. Meanwhile, the No. 12 rounded out the top 10 GTD finishers. Though no pole was in the cards this time, anything is possible over the course of 24 hours, including beating the GTD pole winner, the BMW M6 GT3.
Riley Motorsports First to Run GR Supra GT4 in IMSA
While AIM Autosport is missing from the ’21 Daytona 24, Toyota still turned up to take part in the big festival of speed. Through Riley Motorsports, the GR Supra GT4 is set to debut at the first event of the Michelin Pilot Challenge Friday, January 29, in the Grand Sport class.
We wish Lexus and Toyota the best of luck at Daytona and beyond this season.
Photos: Lexus, IMSA, Toyota
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