Van Gisbergen Confirmed in AVS Lexus for Rolex 24

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Shane van Gisbergen will compete for AIM Vasser Sullivan in next month’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team announced on Tuesday.

The Virgin Australia Supercars star will join returning full-season drivers Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo at the wheel of the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 for the Florida endurance classic.

It marks the second high-profile driver to join the Canadian squad for Daytona, with newly crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch set for his IMSA debut in the No. 14 car alongside Parker Chase and Jack Hawksworth.

Van Gisbergen is set for his fifth Rolex 24 appearance and first since 2017.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me to race again at the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said the Kiwi. “I’ve missed the American style of racing, so when the phone rang it didn’t take long for me to say yes!

“I want to thank Jimmy Vasser, James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan, Andrew Bordin and all the guys at AIM for this opportunity.

“I think with the Lexus RC F GT3, the experience of the AVS team and the driver lineup that we have for the 2020 Rolex 24, we’ll be a real contender. With the right preparation and testing at the Roar, we’ll have a good chance to get a Rolex!”

The team’s third driver for the Michelin Endurance Cup races have not yet been announced.

“Shane is an outstanding competitor who has competed in the Rolex 24 before, won a lot of races and a championship. We look forward to having him drive the AVS Lexus RC F GT3 at Daytona,” said team co-owner Jimmy Vasser.

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