Track Day Enthusiast Hits The Circuit With Prepped RC F
A properly driven RC F is our favorite kind of RC F. This track day build is even better.
Luxury sports cars such as the RC F enjoy owners who coddle their machines. They get to live in garages and are driven with care. But not every RC F is given this treatment. This RC F is given a thorough thrashing at every opportunity. We recently stumbled across it at an SCCA track day at Autobahn Country Club in Chicago and had to find out more.
At first glance, this car appeared mostly stock, but as we got closer, we could see that the interior had been mostly removed. Plus, at the rear wheel arch on the passenger side, there is evidence that this car had a skirmish or two in its past. This likely relegated it to track duties. The car’s menacing appearance is accentuated by black paint with a carbon fiber hood and “F” emblem in place of the Lexus “L” in the grille.
In terms of powertrain, this car is bone stock. The engine and transmission are the same you’d find in any RC F but a TOM’S exhaust is now present. The passenger headlight is removed, which could be for cold air induction, but we couldn’t verify. Impressively, with stock components, this car lapped all day without fuss.
The laps weren’t meant to be lightning-fast, though. Instead, this car’s driver was intending to use its track time to test out new Penske coilovers. Other suspension components were changed too, including bushings.
And on closer inspection, this driver was taking grip very seriously. Ferrari Challenge Pirelli slicks are on OEM rims. This alone must add an entirely other dimension. This particular track day had no timing, but we saw this Lexus had little trouble keeping up with just about every other car out there, including those with much more pedigree. Apparently the testing proved effective.
There’s more track miles ahead for this RC F, with plans for an upgraded seat, a harness bar and other safety equipment. At a track day filled with all sorts of Subarus and BMW M models, it was nice to see an RC F out there proving its high-performance prowess.
Photos for Club Lexus by Patrick Morgan
Join the Club Lexus forums now!
