Vasser Sulivan Lexus dominates both GTD classes

IMSA

Jun 27

Vasser Sullivan Lexus achieves the double at The Glen

Both Lexus RC F GT3 dominated their respective class by spending the highest number of laps as leader: 64% for #12 and 72% for #14.

It was at the end of the fourth hour (lap 150) that Lexus RC F GT3 #12 took the combined classes lead until the end.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Watkins Glen 2023. Lexus RC F GT3 #12.

P2 GTD: #1 BMW M4 GT3

Paul Miller Racing showcased an impressive comeback. After facing early technical issues with the #1 BMW M4 GT3, drivers Madison Snow, Bryan Sellers, and Corey Lewis (all USA) had already fallen three laps behind. However, through strategic utilization of the yellow flag periods, they managed to make up the deficit and ultimately finished in second place (P6 combined GTD), celebrating on the podium.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Watkins Glen 2023. Paul Miller Racing #1 BMW M4 GT3.

P3 GTD: #16 Porsche 911 GT3 R

The Wright Motorsports squad with the #16 Porsche 911 GT3 R worked its way up the order. Ryan Hardwick gained several positions during his first two stints, with Zacharie Robichon then putting the car on course for a podium finish. Jan Heylen ultimately brought the light blue 911 across the line in third place (P7 combined GTD).

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Watkins Glen 2023. #16 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Jan Heylen: “A fantastic and well-deserved result for our team. We’ve had a difficult season so far, but finally, our hard work has borne fruit. The top team is back! It’s just great to finally stand on the winner’s podium again and celebrate.”

P4 GTD: #023 Ferrari 296 GT3

Onofrio Triarsi, Charlie Scardina and Ferrari factory drivers, Alessio Rovera drove the #023 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 tp fourth in class (P8 combined GTD).

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Watkins Glen 2023. #023 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3.

P5 GTD: #66 Acura NSX GT3

Sheena Monk, Marc Miller and Katherine Legge produced one of the performances of the race to climb from 16th on the GTD grid to finish fifth in class (P9 combined GTD) aboard the #66 JG Wentworth Acura NSX GT3 22.

It was the best result for the team, since the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona and moved full-season racers Monk and Legge up to sixth spot in the championship – just two points from a top-five spot - with the IMSA season approaching its halfway point.

Miller was one of the fastest drivers on the circuit during the latter halves of his fuel stints and took 15 seconds out of the GTD leaders during his time in the car in the middle phase of the race enabling Legge to take over in sixth.

Katherine Legge said: “Everybody did an impeccable job both on the track and in the pits today; the team were just flawless and every pitstop was absolutely spot-on. Unfortunately, when things got a bit hot, I didn’t have enough to fight with, but we brought the JG Wentworth Acura home fifth, which is a lot more than we’ve done recently and a lot more than plenty of other people, so it’s something to not only be proud of today, but something to really build on for the coming races.” Source: Gradient Racing

Brave Iron Dames

Following an exceptional qualifying which saw Doriane starting third for Iron Dames, she maintained her position through the early laps, but an early Full Course Yellow would prove problematic. The #83 team opted to pit just before the pitlane closed, meaning a penalty had to be served that dropped her to P10 for the restart.
Once racing got back underway, Pin began her comeback drive. Having completed two hours of running, Doriane held second and when the lead GTD Lexus pitted, she upped the pace with the aim of an overcut. Her efforts paid off and when Michelle emerged from the pits, the #83 had taken the lead.
#83 Lamborghini.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Watkins Glen 2023. #83 Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2.

During her initial stint, a sensor briefly registered a figure under the minimum tyre pressure limit and as a result, Michelle had to complete a mandatory stop, dropping out of the lead and back to ninth. With two-and-a-half hours remaining, the out-of-sequence Gatting had recovered to the lead once again but when the Safety Car made another appearance, the #83 car pitted and dropped back to eighth, at which point Rahel took over.
Early in Rahel’s stint, she fell back to P10, but an extended final stint saw her climb the order and with an hour to go, she was in third position. She re-joined eighth after another stop and with half an hour remaining, she was closing on fourth. Rahel handed the reigns back to Doriane in the final moments of the race, after struggling with the heat in the car. The French driver was P16 when she got back out on track but was denied the opportunity to make up positions by a late race Safety Car. Source: Iron Lynx