2023 IMSA GTD Season Is One to Remember for Lexus

Memorable Season

Lexus has been competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO series for some time now, racking up quite a few wins and podium finishes along the way. However, the recent conclusion of the 2023 season produced some spectacular results for the luxury brand, as it managed to secure the Manufacturers Championship at the Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta - capping off one memorable year.

Photos: Lexus

First Time for Everything

If that wasn't enough, Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth also won the GTD PRO Drivers title and the Vasser Sullivan No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 clinched the GTD PRO Team championship when the dust settled. This also marked the very first full-season IMSA GT titles for both Lexus and Vasser Sullivan, as well as Hawksworth and Barnicoat.

Photos: Lexus

Frequent Podium Appearances

Hawksworth and Barnicoat earned podium finishes in nine out of 11 races this season, securing wins at the Long Beach street circuit and Watkins Glen International. Hawksworth also led the GTD PRO class with four pole positions this year, winning the 2023 Motul Pole Award for most poles in class. Hawksworth has been a part of the Lexus GT program since its inception in 2017, while Barnicoat has raced the RC F GT3 for two seasons. Endurance racers Kyle Kirkwood and Mike Conway also contributed to the Manufacturers title with endurance race starts in the Lexus RC F GT3 this season.

Photos: Lexus

Double Victory

Aaron Telitz and Frankie Montecalvo finished the 2023 season third in the IMSA GTD championship and were joined by Parker Thompson during four endurance events this year. The highlight of the season for the No. 12 RC F GT3 came at Watkins Glen International in June, which is when the trio won the six-hour endurance event in dominant fashion, giving the Lexus and Vasser Sullivan the first double victory in program history.

Photos: Lexus

Loyalty Pays Off

“It’s been amazing," Hawksworth said of the team's win. "For me personally, I’ve been with the program since it was formed at the end of 2016 all the way through the different teams and people who have touched this program over the last seven years, and to see it grow has been incredible. It’s not always been easy. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs along the way. It’s been quite the journey really. I just feel very grateful and thankful to Lexus and TRD and Vasser Sullivan who have stood by me and put their trust in me for a long time. To finally get a championship alongside two fantastic drivers in Ben (Barnicoat) and Kyle (Kirkwood), it’s been a dream come true for me this year. It’s been an awesome journey and I’m very proud of what we achieved this year.”

Photos: Lexus

Fast Success

“In 2021, I made my IMSA debut here with a different team, but that’s where I sat down and met all of the individuals at Lexus Racing and Vasser Sullivan," Barnicoat said. "If you would’ve told me at that point that in two years’ time that I’d be a GTD PRO champion, I don’t know if I would’ve believed it or not. Of course, that’s what we all set out to do and that’s why I was hired and brought into this program. It’s been phenomenal. I’m very lucky to race alongside Jack (Hawksworth). He’s definitely one of, if not the best guy in IMSA right now. There’s no one else I’d rather go racing with. All of the Vasser Sullivan engineers giving us an amazing Lexus RC F GT3. I’ve been able to slot into the family exceptionally well, it’s the first title in my second year, and I plan on staying around and hopefully getting a few more.”

Photos: Lexus

Looking Ahead

Of course, the Lexus team can't exactly rest on its laurels and enjoy this hard-earned championship for too long, as next season is always looming, For Lexus, it will look to defend its title very soon, as the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season begins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 27 and 28.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2023 IMSA GTD Season right here at ClubLexus.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.