MOTORSPORT
LEXUS AT THE WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
This year, Lexus is on the starting grid for the FIA World Endurance Championship. Racing in the LMGT3 category, the AKKODIS ASP Team are pushing the Lexus RC F GT3 to the limits.
THE COMPETITION
PURE EXHILARATION
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is among the most challenging international sportscar championships. It pits teams against one-another through grueling track races requiring physical and mental endurance. Races that push the limits of car and driver alike for hours at a time. It’s a high-speed laboratory for vehicle engineering, influencing design, technology, performance, and safety.
WEC brings together vehicle manufacturers, drivers, and racing fans to experience and celebrate cars tested under extreme conditions. The sights and the sounds of prestige marques competing against one-another for a place on the podium is pure exhilaration.
THE CIRCUITS
AROUND THE WORLD IN RECORD TIME
The eight WEC circuits span Europe, Asia, North and South America, and the Middle East. Each diverse location offers a unique environment and conditions.
But these are no ordinary races. With a combined 72 hours of intense competition, WEC challenges competitors to operate at the pinnacle of their talents. Circuit after circuit. Hour after hour. The demanding conditions of the WEC – including the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans – generate invaluable driving data. At Lexus, we analyse and use this data to craft production cars that inspire confidence on any road.
THE TEAM
HIGH-PERFORMANCE COLLABORATION
As with each entry in the LMGT3 category, Team AKKODIS ASP features both professional and amateur drivers in its two cars. Car 78 is led by Kelvin Van der Linde. He is joined by fellow professional Timur Boguslavskiy, and amateur Arnold Robin. Car 87’s lead driver is José María López; his skills complemented by Esteban Masson (professional) and Takeshi Kimura (amateur).
But it’s not just the drivers who make a team, and it’s not just the track where speed is critical.
The capacity to develop a race strategy, and to instantly react to any situation, is supported by a team of mechanics, engineers, and logistics professionals. Each reliant on one-another, and each working to a common goal; constantly improving to gain a competitive edge.
THE CAR
MEET THE RC F GT3
To compete in endurance racing, a driver must feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel.
They need a car that will perform in the most extreme conditions. A car built for speed, reliability, and resilience. A car like the Lexus RC F GT3.
Based on a road-ready Lexus RC F, albeit with race-specific aerodynamics, the RC F GT3 takes advantage of its stiff chassis to cope with the demands of the track. And although the interior may be a little less luxurious than in a road vehicle, it provides the comfort and ergonomics necessary for the racing team to focus on the task at hand.
THE FUTURE
EXHILARATION AT EVERY TURN
The demanding conditions of WEC provide the ultimate test for vehicle design, components, and technologies.
Competing helps us develop exceptional cars that enable us all to feel the joy of driving. So, whether you’re competing in the Le Mans 24 hours, or enjoying the school run, you can experience a comfortable yet exhilarating drive in any Lexus.
Our relentless desire for continuous improvement and innovation drives us to not just dream the impossible, but to engineer and deliver it. So what does the future have in store? Take a look at the Lexus Electrified Sport Concept - our vision for a future all-electric, high-performance car.
