Hawksworth, Barnicoat Return to Vasser Sullivan in GTD Pro

Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat are set to return as the full-season driver lineup in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, competing once again in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class for next year.

Hawksworth and Barnicoat finished second in the GTD Pro championship with two class wins, six podium finishes and two pole positions during the 2022 season.

The driver duo scored two victories for Lexus with their inaugural GTD Pro win at Road America, and they capped off the season winning the first endurance race for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan at Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, along with endurance racer Kyle Kirkwood.

“We are thrilled to have Jack and Ben back in the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 competing in our second season in IMSA’s GTD Pro category,” said Lexus Racing senior motorsports manager Jeff Bal.

“The Vasser Sullivan team found a way to put the Lexus in the window for each race last season. Ben and Jack both continue to deliver when given the wheel and their results in 2022 speak directly to that.

“I firmly believe we’d have had a great shot at winning the championship if we had Jack with us for the entire season. He and Ben and this entire team are only just getting started.

“Our mission this year is simple. Execute on every deliverable and find a way to put Lexus up front.

“There is simply no better driver duo than Hawksworth and Barnicoat to accomplish the feat.  We can’t wait to see what this year’s campaign will bring. It’s got all the right ingredients for an incredible season in 2023.”

Hawksworth, who has been with the Lexus GT3 program since its inception, returns for his fifth season with Vasser Sullivan.

The 31-year-old Englishman has earned a total of eight wins and 16 podium finishes in the last four seasons piloting the team’s No. 14 Lexus. He also earned GTD Pro pole positions at Road America and Road Atlanta last season.

“The target is to win the championship, but the competition will only get tougher,” said Hawksworth.

“We will need to continue to improve and move forward as a team and bring our ‘A’ game every weekend if we are to make this a reality. It’s great to be back alongside Ben again and the rest of the Vasser Sullivan team. We are up for the fight.”

Barnicoat returns for his second season with the team. Along with his two GTD Pro victories, the 25-year-old was also victorious in the GTD class with Kirkwood at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park earlier this year.

“2022 was a fantastic year,” said Barnicoat. “I loved being a part of the family we have here, and we achieved amazing things together, so to go into the next season with that continuity is great.

“Teaming up with Jack again for the full season will give us a perfect driver lineup to go for the overall title. I’ve got all of my firsts out of the way this year, so we are going into 2023 in such a strong place.”

The 2023 season will mark the fifth year Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have partnered together. During that time, the Lexus has earned ten class wins, 28 podiums and nine pole positions.

Vasser Sullivan will once again run a Lexus entry in the GTD class with a driver announcement forthcoming.