Race Summary No. 14 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Lexus RC F GT3:
In spectacular fashion the No. 14 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Lexus RC F GT3, co-driven by Jack Hawksworth and Richard Heistand powered their way to victory today in the Detroit Grand Prix on the 2.35-mile, 14-turn Belle Isle temporary street circuit. Heistand, who was making his first start on Belle Isle, qualified the car fifth, but ended up fourth after the pole sitter’s time was disallowed because the car failed post-qualifying technical inspection. Heistand held station during his approximately 40 minute stint before turning the car over to Hawksworh, who climbed in and immediately things started to happen. First the leader in the GTD class fell out of the race moving the No 14 into third place. Next, Hawksworth passed the second place car on a restart. Five minutes later, with roughly half the race remaining, Hawksworth set up, then passed the leader. Taking over the top spot, Hawksworth never wavered while driving to the team’s second straight victory.
The No. 14 AIM VASSER SUILLIAN entry leads the GTD Sprint Cup point standings following a win in the first sprint race of the season at Mid-Ohio. The Detroit GP was the second sprint race on the GTD Sprint Cup schedule. The victory at Mid-Ohio vaulted No. 14 AVS entry into third in the overall championship standings. Lexus sits second in the overall GTD manufacturer standings. This weekend’s race at Belle Isle is optional for the GTD class and points earned in today’s race will not count toward the overall championship standings.
This is the second win for the newly formed AVS team in just its fourth race, and the fourth win for Lexus since entering IMSA competition in 2017. Heistand, who earned his first IMSA pole position at Mid-Ohio, now has two career IMSA victories while Hawksworth has three. In addition to Mid-Ohio and Detroit, he won his first IMSA start at the Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit in 2014.
NO. 14 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Driver Race Quotes:
Jack Hawksworth:
“I had a good feeling about today. We had a good qualifying position in fourth. I thought the Lexus had been working quite well all weekend and then we had a great pit stop. The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN guys did a fantastic job and the Lexus RC F was good the whole way through the stint. When I was in third – if you give me a sniff to win, I’m going to go for it and try to win the thing so that’s what I did. The guys did a great job. Richard (Heistand) did great in qualifying and great in his stint. He’s never been here before and he turned in a good performance. The guys did the pit stop unbelievable and then two podiums for the Lexus RC F and the AVS team today.”
Richard Heistand:
“I am just so happy for the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team. I can’t believe we actually won. I didn’t do a whole lot for it, but I’ll take the trophy. Jack (Hawksworth) drove amazing. I don’t think we had the fastest car, but the Lexus RC F GT3 was strong, the team did a great job and we had the fastest driver in the end.”
Race Summary No. 12 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Lexus RC F GT3:
In an almost equally impressive display the No. 12 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Lexus RC F GT3, driven by Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo, took advantage of the opportunities presented to finish third in the Detroit Grand Prix. Montecalvo qualified the car sixth, but started fifth when the pole sitter failed post-qualifying technical inspections. Montecalvo started the race and held his position until handing the car over to Bell, who drove a smart steady race. The team picked up two positions over the final 60 or so minutes of the 1:40 (100 minute) contest to record their second podium finish and are third top-five performance in the first four races of the season.
In addition to today’s third place finish the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 placed second at the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona and fifth at Mid-Ohio. They are second in the GTD overall championship standings and is tied for third in the Sprint Cup standings.
NO. 12 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Driver Race Quotes:
Townsend Bell:
“First, it started with an excellent start by Frankie (Montecalvo). He did a great job in qualifying. We’ve improved since Mid-Ohio. We struggled a bit there. He got a great start with clean, smart decision making and gave me the perfect car and the pit stop was awesome for both cars – the 12 and the 14. Both were super-fast and we matched those guys. We were right there together with our Lexus’. The restart came and I kind of slotted in there and it got a little messy in front of me. Jack (Hawksworth) made a move, checked up the guys for me and I ducked inside that 57 (Katherine Legge) and dropped it down to first gear and got by them. We had good track position and then kind of managed from there. Still learning this car. I feel like every time I complete laps I learn more and now I think I’ve got a pretty reasonable idea of what we need. We still need a little bit, but we’re getting there. Four races and two podiums, four races and two wins for the 14, so it’s a good start for AIM VASSER SULLIVAN.”
Frankie Montecalvo:
“I couldn’t be happier. Like I have said before, the more time the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team is together the better we get. I’m just looking forward to the next event, Finishing third here after not qualifying where we wanted, it’s very impressive. We had the overall pace, but we had a great race in the Lexus RC F GT3. We stayed out of trouble and took advantage of our opportunities. That’s what we did as a team.”
Next Race:
The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International, June 27-30. The race will be broadcast taped delayed on NBCSN starting at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.
