Bell, Montecalvo Confirmed at AVS Autosport

Photo: IMSA

Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo will mount a full-season campaign in one of AIM Vasser Sullivan’s Lexus RC F GT3 entries, the team announced on Thursday.

The pairing, who teamed up for the Michelin Endurance Cup races in a Scuderia Corsa-run Ferrari 488 GT3, will make the switch to the newly formed Lexus organization for a season-long campaign in the GT Daytona class.

Bell and Montecalvo join Jack Hawksworth as confirmed drivers in the two-car team.

The 2015 GTD champion had been tipped to be part of NBC Sports broadcast team for the WeatherTech Championship season.

“I’m thrilled to have a chance to go after another IMSA GTD Championship with Frankie,” said Bell. “We’ve had some partial seasons the last few years and the stars aligned to make this happen.

“My best Indy 500 finish came while driving for Jimmy Vasser and I’ve always admired the way he runs the team and guides the ship.

“The fact that AIM and Ian Willis are also involved makes this feel like one big family get together.”

Silver-rated Montecalvo, meanwhile, makes his return to the Ian Willis-led AIM organization, having driven for the team in Pirelli World Challenge in 2017.

“With the addition of Jimmy Vasser, Sulli and Lexus, we should have a very competitive team this year,” Monteclvo said.

“Co-driving with Townsend, I feel AVS has a real shot at competing for a championship. I’m looking forward to heading to Daytona to start off the 2019 season.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John