Photo: Javier Jimenez/DPPI
Last weekend’s Bahrain rookie test offered Ben Barnicoat a “first taste” of torque sensors ahead of its rollout in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT classes next year.
The Lexus factory driver, who races for Vasser Sullivan in the GTD Pro category, took part in Sunday’s running at Bahrain International Circuit in the No. 78 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3, setting the quickest time in the LMGT3 class.
It marked Barnicoat’s second consecutive Bahrain rookie test, after turning laps in Toyota’s GR010 Hybrid alongside Lexus stablemate Jack Hawksworth last year.
However, the focus this time around was two-fold according to the 27-year-old Briton, who was brought in to gauge the level of progress made with the car after its first WEC campaign with the Jerome Policand-led squad.
“Obviously it was the first year for Lexus and Akkodis ASP in the WEC and, although I haven’t been a part of it, from the outside they haven’t had the easiest of seasons,” Barnicoat told Sportscar365.
“They’ve had to work hard to learn the car in a short space of time.
“I think they wanted me to drive the car because they wanted me to clarify a few things and clarify they were going in the right direction.
“It was my first day working with the team, I really enjoyed it, and it was nice to end with a quick lap time.”
Barnicoat was also able to drive the RC F GT3 equipped with torque sensors for the first time, ahead of its implementation in the WeatherTech Championship GTD Pro and GTD categories next year.
“It was my first time driving the Lexus with torque sensors and with Goodyear tires,” he said. “There were quite a few differences, and the torque sensors are something we’re also going to get in IMSA next year.
“It was nice to get my first taste of them and understand a little bit how they work. It gives me a little head start for next year.”
While not yet formally announced, Barnicoat and Hawksworth are expected to return to Vasser Sullivan’s No. 14 Lexus next year in GTD Pro.
Despite Akkodis ASP also yet to announce its driving squad, it’s unlikely Barnicoat would feature in the French squad due to two clashing dates with the WeatherTech Championship.
“I’ve been very happy in my time at Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA, so provided everything goes ok, I absolutely expect to be there again next season in the Pro car,” Barnicoat said.
Jamie Klein contributed to this report
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