3GT Completes Initial Testing With New Lexus RC F GT3

Photo: 3GT Racing

The newly renamed 3GT Racing has completed a series of successful initial tests with the 2017-spec Lexus RC F GT3, ahead of its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

All four of the team’s full-season drivers, including the previously announced pairing of Scott Pruett and Sage Karam, took to both Atlanta Motorsports Park and Road Atlanta last week, for a combined four-day test, racking up nearly 1,500 miles, according to team principal Paul Gentilozzi.

It marked the Michigan-based team’s first proper running with the all-new GT3-spec car, following an initial shakedown at Gingerman Raceway earlier in the month.

“It’s really a proper race car,” Gentilozzi told Sportscar365. “The prototype that went to the Ladoux test for homologation was run by the Farnbacher’s at the VLN race and had a successful time and ended up winning the race, which was great. Everybody learned from that.

“This is a very early program. We’re really starting all over. But we’re fortunate we have this great database of information that’s being developed and learned from Toyota Technocraft and certainly by TRD globally.

“For me, the nice thing about being involved in a program like this is that you get great support as a customer.”

Gentilozzi said the team took delivery of its second car on Monday, and will be present at both IMSA-sanctioned tests at Daytona in November in December, in addition to a private test scheduled at Sebring for late November.

The identities of 3GT’s two remaining full-season drivers, meanwhile, are expected to be revealed later this week.

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