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Aaron Telitz, Frankie Montecalvo and Richard Heistand have been within the operating to win the GTD class within the twenty fifth operating of Petit Le Mans, when their Lexus RC F was taken out simply earlier than the midway mark of the 10-hour race by the JDC Miller MotorSports Cadillac pushed on the time by Loic Duval.
The incident additionally ended the race for the Prototype which had additionally been operating properly in its class.
“It was a reasonably disappointing option to finish the 2022 season for the #12 automotive for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus,” mentioned Telitz who had been driving the automotive on the time of the influence at Flip 5. “I acquired taken out by a prototype automotive who made a ridiculous transfer. We weren’t even midway by means of the race. I really feel unhealthy for the fellows that that is the ending to our season.”
Added Montecalvo: “I really feel like if we didn’t have unhealthy luck, we wouldn’t have any luck in any respect. It simply stinks it was the icing on our cake for the yr. We’ve all achieved all the things proper and we simply hold getting caught out in stuff out of our management. I’m glad to see Aaron is alright.
“The crew did an exceptional job! We have been up entrance your entire time we have been within the race. Richard had a fantastic begin and Aaron was simply entering into his stints and operating good, so it actually stinks for the crew and for everybody out right here that places a lot laborious work into it.”
By the use of sharp distinction, Hawksworth, Barnicoat and Kirkwood earned the primary endurance victory for Lexus in GTD Professional and took the Michelin Endurance Cup – the championship throughout the championship, that goes to the very best factors scorers in IMSA’s 4 endurance rounds at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Highway Atlanta.
Though Risi Competizione’s Ferrari 488 crossed the road first in GTD Professional, it was penalized for Daniel Serra exceeding drive time by 11 minutes. It’s the twelfth IMSA victory for the Lexus RC F however its first in one of many IMSA enduros.
After seeing his automotive lead the GTD Professional class for 211 of the 385 laps, polesitter Hawksworth mentioned: “Unbelievable… The entire Vasser Sullivan boys simply stored combating all day. Ben, Kyle, myself – we simply acquired after it there.
“To get Lexus their first endurance win – this has been six years within the making. It’s one thing actually particular. I’m a bit overwhelmed. Thanks to my teammates, to the entire Vasser Sullivan crew and everybody concerned. It’s a tremendous day.”
Added Barnicoat: “You may see how a lot this implies to everybody right here. The entire Lexus household. I joined them a yr in the past and to have the ability to do that at my first Petit Le Mans is unbelievable. I couldn’t have achieved it with out Jack and Kyle and this complete Vasser Sullivan crew.”
Kirkwood, 2021 Indy Lights champion and 2022 IndyCar rookie, nonetheless described Petit Le Mans victory as “in all probability the largest second in my racing profession. It’s been a very long time coming for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan. It’s a dream come true for us. It’s all resulting from all of the laborious work that occurs behind the scenes by this Vasser Sullivan crew that nobody sees.
“Jack is the one who has been there since Day 1. He’s developed this automotive and he’s the one which went on the market and acquired that win for us…
“I’ve by no means seen a crew so comfortable to win and I’m so proud to be part of it. It’s been three years for me now. We’ve been shut so many instances and tonight it lastly got here true for us.”
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