David Wilson oversees Lexus Racing and its Vasser Sullivan team, which secured the title last year with British drivers Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat. The 2024 season began strongly at Daytona, with the sister #12 RC F car achieving the marque’s first-ever pole for the Rolex 24 in the pro-am class during qualifying.
Despite the initial success, Wilson cautions that the significance of claiming the title or securing the class pole diminishes when faced with the challenges of the 24-hour race. With 34 competitors across the GTD categories in the series opener, Wilson emphasizes the unpredictability of the competition.
While reflecting on the team’s achievements and the confidence gained from the previous championship, Wilson acknowledges the increased difficulty in the current season.
With 10 other cars in the Pro class and the introduction of new competitors like Ford and Corvette, Wilson highlights the team’s focus on execution, minimizing mistakes, and strategic planning.
Parker Thompson claimed the GTD pole in the #12 Lexus, with factory driver Hawksworth narrowly missing the top spot in GTD Pro. This positions them at 25th and 26th overall, with Thompson securing the pole at Daytona.
Thompson expresses his excitement about achieving the pole position and emphasizes the significance of being part of the team’s first Rolex 24 pole for Lexus.
Hawksworth, optimistic about the team’s progress since the previous year, acknowledges the uncertainties of the race, emphasizing the need to wait and see how the competition unfolds in the final hours.
In summary, the Lexus Racing team, under the leadership of David Wilson, enters the 2024 season with a strong start but remains cautious about the challenges posed by the 24-hour race and the increased competition in the Pro class.
The focus is on execution, minimizing mistakes, and strategic planning to compete for another championship.
