Lexus Departs with 3GT Racing for AIM Vasser Sullivan

Two Seasons with 3GT

Lexus has departed with 3GT Racing and sets their aim (sorry, had to do it to ‘em) for AIM Vasser Sullivan. 3GT formed in 2017 specifically to compete in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Lexus. The team ran two RC F GT3’s during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, No. 14 and No. 15. The team had a rough start in 2017 but came into their own in 2018 by taking several pole positions and wins throughout the series. Jack Hawksworth, an ex-indy car driver, was able to walk away with three pole positions while Dominik Baumann and Kyle Marcelli were able to take away wins as well. 3GT was formed, owned and operated by five-time Trans-Am Series Champion, Paul Gentilozzi, along with Tony and John Gentilozzi, hence the 3 “GT” name. Quite clever indeed. The Easy Lancing based trio have seen great success in their 46 years of racing and managing.  

The Split

Lexus saw great success with the team, however, Paul Gentilozzi has been involved in a legal battle for a decade now. The legal battle, involving Gentilozzi and his former driver, IndyCar's Ryan Hunter-Reay, has not always been the prettiest. The legal conflict has lead to some PR concerns on Lexus’s end, causing the eventual split to ensue.

“Paul Gentilozzi and the 3GT Racing team played an integral role in assisting Lexus in the development of the RC F GT3, “said Cooper Ericksen, vice president of Lexus marketing. “We are grateful for our partnership and for the growth we experienced together as Lexus returned to the racetrack. We wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Lexus essentially went with the tried and true, “It’s not you, it’s me.” Gotta tip your hat to using one of the oldest break-ups in the book and making it still classy. Classic Lexus.

It does seem as if the split was in good taste. 3GT did well for Lexus and set them well into the modern racing scene. As a brand, knowing when to split to save face is important, it appears that time was now for the Japanese manufacturer. 

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Quick Rebound

Lexus has already partnered with a new race team to round the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. AIM Vasser Sullivan, the newly formed racing team of mixed background. CART Champ Car World Series champion Jimmy Vasser and James Sullivan join with AIM Autosport. Andrew Bordin, Ian Willis and Keith Willis share ownership of AIM Autosport.

“We were involved in one of the original bids with the Lexus program prior to the last team, which did not go through,” Sullivan said. “The timing wasn’t right for a lot of reasons. Post that happening, we never took our eye off of it. We attended two IMSA events over a three-year period to try to stay close to it and connected to it. I would say since that period, we’ve never taken our eye off the ball.” 

>>Join the conversation about Lexus and AIM Vasser Sullivan right here at ClubLexus Forum!

Things Are Looking Good

There is a lot of talent moving over to Lexus for the 2019 season. Vasser and Sullivan are seasoned vets in IndyCar. Winning the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and taking five more wins in the next three years. In 2018, they affiliated with Dale Coyne Racing, taking driver Sebastien Bourdais with the to the IndyCar series and taking podium on several races including Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and ended seventh in the 2018 standings.

AIM Autosport is equally impressive. Formed in 1995, they have taken wins in every category they have competed in. They an impressive number of wins overall, including championships in Grand AM and IMSA races.

The combination of both teams brings over 100 years of racing experience to the table. The expectations have been set high. Both teams have an abundance of fast and reliable drivers, plus access to the top echelon of racers in this part of the galaxy. Expect to see real talent be announced for the 2019 season in the forthcoming weeks.

>>Join the conversation about Lexus and AIM Vasser Sullivan right here at ClubLexus Forum!

The Love Child

The Lexus RC F GT3 is an absolute beast of a car. Originally based on the RC F high-performance road car, the chassis has a strong starting platform. Using the same bones as the 5.0L found in the RC F streetcar, Lexus has bored it out to 5.4L, and bumped the power from the stock 467 hp to 540+ hp, depending on tune. The standard 8-speed Toyota AA80E transmission has been [smartly] replaced by a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Faster, stronger, lighter and all around, the better shifts will this into a true racing machine and give it a transmission worth the “F” title.

Every panel has been redesigned and refinished with carbon fiber. Full aero treatment makes it look as badass as anyone could possibly make an RC F look. Modern GT3 cars are some of the best looking cars on the planet. The scoops, the wings, the ax cut vents, they are what I only dreamed of when playing Need for Speed back in the day. Any “body kit” you can think of has its origins from race cars, and GT3 cars are the manifestation of the perfect cars. The RC F’s aero provides the appropriate levels of downforce for its class, leaving much room for improvement for rule changes and race day corrections.

The RC F GT3 made its world debut as a concept at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and has stolen hearts since then. Beginning its racing career in 2017 in IMSA competition, the twin RC F’s raced have so far taken two race wins, three podium finishes, and five pole positions. They also have been hitting some of the fastest GTD laps, giving even more promise for this new, experienced race team.

>>Join the conversation about Lexus and AIM Vasser Sullivan right here at ClubLexus Forum!

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