With the GTD Pro category not competing at the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit, Vasser Sullivan opted to split its regular driver line-up in the pro-am class across its pair of Lexus RC F GT3 machines.
Jack Hawksworth, fresh off a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring and having won last year in Long Beach in GTD Pro, will co-drive the #12 entry with Frankie Montecalvo for this year’s event.
Meanwhile the re-numbered #89 entry will be piloted by Montecalvo's usual co-driver Parker Thompson and Ben Barnicoat, who partnered Hawskworth in the winning GTD Pro car at Sebring and last year at Long Beach.
“The Long Beach Grand Prix is quite simply ‘special’ for our team and Lexus,” team principals Jimmy Vasser and James Sullivan said in a team statement.
“We are coming to Long Beach with one expectation…to win again.
“Pairing Frankie and Jack in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, alongside Ben and Parker in the No. 89 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, gives us the best shot at that.”
Source: Autosport