Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA
Vasser Sullivan Racing will campaign two Lexus RC F GT3s in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, having confirmed Wednesday the return of Jack Hawksworth and Aaron Telitz for a season-long campaign in the No. 14 entry.
The pairing, who won the WeatherTech Sprint Cup, are the first two confirmed drivers for the 2021 campaign.
Hawksworth and Telitz piloted the No. 14 Lexus to three class three wins, five podiums and three pole positions during the 2020 GT Daytona season en route to a third place finish in the season-long championship.
It will mark Hawksworth’s third season with the team, which has parted ways with former operators AIM Autosport.
Telitz, meanwhile, is set for his first full season in a single entry after splitting time between the Nos. 12 and 14 cars this year.
“We have not been shy about our attack on the IMSA GTD championship for 2021,” said team co-owner Jimmy Vasser.
“Securing both Hawksworth and Telitz in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus entry is the first of a few dominoes to fall as we prepare our assault on this championship.
“We couldn’t be more energized for what’s to come. Additionally, a big thank you to Andrew (Bordin), Ian and Keith (Willis) for their work and partnership over the last two seasons.”
Hawksworth said to again be paired with 28-year-old Telitz, who remains Silver-rated by the FIA, is a “perfect scenario.”
“After three wins together in 2020 and the sprint championship title, we can only have one goal and that is to secure the 2021 IMSA GTD Championship title,” he said.
“There have been some changes over the off-season and the relocation of the team to Charlotte gives a new opportunity for growth and continued improvement heading into 2021.
“Kaizen is a philosophy that everybody at Lexus embraces and this is the mindset we’ll be carrying forward into 2021 in pursuit of the top step of the podium.”
Telitz added: “I’m ready to build on my first full-season of IMSA GTD competition with Jack and take our Lexus RCF GT3 back into the championship fight. The team that is being assembled will be a serious force.”
The 2021 season will mark Vasser Sullivan’s third year with Lexus in GTD.
“We believe the Vasser Sullivan driver lineup is among the strongest in the GTD paddock and we’re poised to make a championship run,” said Lexus Motorsports manager Jeff Bal.
“We’re thankful for every team member who has helped bring the Lexus RC F GT3 to where it is today and anxious to see what the 2021 season brings.”
The team has yet to make announcements on drivers for the No. 12 car, or additional pilots for the No. 14 car in the long-distance races.
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