This year would have been the third participation for Lexus LC in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The team was planning to run a newly-developed V8 twin-turbo engine and peripheral new technologies.

However, the global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in travel restrictions. The team did not have enough opportunities to conduct driving tests in the Nürburgring on track, and this has had a substantial impact on the development of the race car.

In the present circumstances and given how demanding the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is for race cars, it would have proven more difficult for the team and the race car to complete the 24 hours race in a safe manner. For these reasons, the company has decided not to participate in this year’s edition.

Nevertheless, the 24 Hours of Nürburgring continues to be highly important to Lexus. Therefore, the company is committed to resume their participation in the race next year onward. The decision not to take part this year has freed up time, which the team intends to use effectively by beginning preparations early for next year’s race. The intention is clearly to be ready with a stronger team and car for the 2021 edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, which is set to be held in June.

■ Akio Toyoda, President and Representative Director of Toyota Motor Corporation

“The other day, a friend who lives in Nürburg sent me a photograph of the “Nürburg cherry blossoms”—beautiful flowers that bloomed again this year. For the past 13 years, every year, the team and I have prayed for safety and pledged to make ever-better cars in front of those cherry blossoms before the race. We are unable to do so this year, and my disappointment is immense.

Even in these adverse circumstances, and although I am far away in Japan, while looking at the photograph I once again pledged to continue making ever-better cars.

We have chosen not to participate in this year’s race. However, together with all our mechanics, engineers, professional drivers, suppliers, sponsors, and partners, we will continue to take on the challenges of making ever-better cars. It is my hope that all our fans continue to watch over our activities and continue lending their tremendous support.”

It will be the third participation for Lexus LC in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The team will use what it has learnt in the past two years to improve the car’s performance by adopting a variety of new technologies, including a newly-developed V8 twin-turbo engine destined for use on future road cars such as sports cars.

Competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race with the Lexus LC will also enable the company to implement other advanced technologies planned for use in future road cars:

• Body development (optimal low-weight and high-rigidity body structure, enhanced aerodynamic components, and driver assistance technology)
• Suspension development (low-weight and high-rigidity suspension, lightweight wheels, high-response shock absorbers)
• Driving control development (advancement in various control systems such as Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and ABS systems)

LC will be driven by a team of well experienced drivers. Hiroaki Ishiura, who will join the race for the sixth time, will be the chief driver and compete alongside Masahiro Sasaki, Kazuya Oshima, and Naoya Gamo.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to compete in the 2020 Nürburgring 24 Hours Race”, Hiroaki Ishiura commented. “As I haven’t competed in the race at Nürburgring for some time, I am very excited, but I also feel some responsibility as the setting leader. This project has accumulated considerable expertise through continuous car making every year, and we hope to use that expertise to develop even faster and safer cars that everyone can enjoy. There are many elements that can be refined only under the harsh environment of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring Race, and I think this gives great meaning to taking on this challenge. By combining everyone’s strengths to refine the Lexus LC, I hope to provide feedback for reliable car making, accumulate technologies, and contribute to “making ever-better cars”. I look forward to receiving your support.”

The Nürburgring 24 Hours Race is held at the Nürburgring in May every year, a track in central Germany that is widely regarded as the world's most gruelling course. 2020 will mark the company’s 14^th consecutive year of participation at the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race, using race cars built by employees and raced by a team of company mechanics and engineers.

# # #

Oshima and Yamashita went into the final race of the season at the top of the points standings and as title favourites. However, two other crews were bidding to deprive them of the title, including the #37 LC 500 entered by KeePer TOM’S and driven by Ryo Hirakawa and Nick Cassidy.

The race winner in the GT500 class was the #37 KeePer TOM'S, allowing the team to claim the Team Championship title for the 2019 season.

The #6 WAKO'S 4CR LC 500 finished 2^nd in Motegi, giving Oshima and Yamashita their first Drivers Championship title.

The third place of the Motegi race podium went to the car #36, the au TOM’S LC 500 of Kazuki Nakajima and Yuhi Sekiguchi, followed by car #38, ZENT CERUMO LC 500 driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Hiroaki Ishiura, locking out the top four positions for Lexus in the LC 500’s final race in the Super GT Series before it is retired from competition.

2019 Final ranking drivers – GT500 class

1. #6 Kazuya Oshima / Kenta Yamashita 85 pts
2. #37 Ryo Hirakawa / Nick Cassidy 83 pts
3. #23 Tsugio Matsuda / Ronnie Quintarelli 52.5 pts
4. #38 Yuji Tachikawa / Hiroaki Ishiura 46.5 pts
5. #39 Heikki Kovalainen / Yuichi Nakayama 44 pts
6. #36 Kazuki Nakajima / Yuhi Sekiguchi 38 pts
7. #19 Yuji Kunimoto / Sho Tsuboi 27.5 pts

2019 Final ranking teams – GT500 class

1. #37 LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM'S 107 pts
2. #6 LEXUS TEAM LEMANS WAKO'S 106 pts
3. #23 NISMO 69.5 pts
4. #38 LEXUS TEAM ZENT CERUMO 65.5 pts
5. #39 LEXUS TEAM SARD 64 pts
6. #36 LEXUS TEAM au TOM'S 53 pts
7. #19 LEXUS TEAM WedsSport BANDOH 46.5 pts

For more information please visit: https://supergt.net/news/single/19719

• WAKO’S 4CR LC500 No. 6 with drivers Kazuya OSHIMA / Kenta YAMASHITA achieved two straight victories in the 2019 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series at Fuji International Speedway. This is the fourth consecutive victory for the LEXUS LC500 since Round 2.
• KeePer TOM’S No. 37 co-piloted by drivers Ryo HIRAKAWA / Nick CASSIDY recorded fourth place.

GT300 class

• K-tunes RC F GT3 No. 96 finished 15th place.

Driver comments: 

Kazuya OSHIMA (WAKO’S 4CR LC500 No. 6)The weight handicap was already heavy due to our last victory, so we were expecting to race persistently. But as we started racing, our car and engine was fast, the car set up was perfect, and the feeling of the tires were good, so I thought that we might be able to get in a good position. We raced without overdoing, and then without realizing, we were in the upper position. By chance, our pitstop timing was nearly the same timing as the Safety Car in. It was risky, but this was the major change point. Afterwards, we tried to maintain the car and tires, and focused on never to make any mistakes. Now our weight handicap is even more heavier, and we have no idea about the impact. It tends to be a rough race in the next Autopolis, so if our car is ready, there might be an opportunity. There are three remainig races, and there wouldn’t be a chance like this, so we will take full advantage of the opportunities and will conitnue racing to get the points.

Kenta YAMASHITA (WAKO’S 4CR LC500 No. 6)We won last time, and we were aiming to get a position close to the podium, but we didn’t expect to capture the victory. In the qualifying, due to our heavy weight handicap, we were in the back of the grid, but we knew that our long run pace was similar to the other cars during yesterday’s official practice. We thought we will be able to catch up, but honestly the win was unexpected. The key point was the pitstop timing, and this created the gap, so I concentrated to finish the race safely. We really thank the team for the wonderful car and planning the strategy for this race. The team ranking gap between us and the second team is 16 points, which I feel is not so big. The next race will be very tough, but we will try hard to get the points to win the championship.

GT500 Class Result

GT300 Class Result

Drivers Standings (GT500)

Team Standings (GT500)

More pictures : https://www.tgr-dam.com

Following its inaugural running at the event in 2018, in which the car completed the full 24 hours, the Gazoo Racing team has put in a rigorous testing programme, covering thousands of kilometres, with the aim of improving the overall performance package and completing more laps in 2019.

Taking part in the production-based SP-Pro class, the Lexus LC will be piloted by the same four driver line-up as in 2018, further aiding the car’s development. Endurance veteran Takeshi Tsuchiya leads Nurburgring expert, Naoya Gamo, alongside rising stars, Takamitsu Matsui and Yuichi Nakayama.

Changes to the car over the 2018 event, during which the Gazoo team endured a four hour period of pit work in order to complete the race, include a number of aerodynamic updates, body enhancements to maximise low-slung weight and work to optimise overall performance of the brakes, tyres and electronics. Engine development work has also been undertaken to reduce friction and increase output from the 2UR-GSE engine.

Naoya Gamo has been instrumental in steering the LC’s set-up for 2019 and believes the coupe to be much improved, with the relationship between car and driver far smoother than last year:

“Through testing in Japan and Germany, I hope to pursue more than just better lap times. I hope we can build a car that is more comfortable and fun to drive.”

Chiefly, for Lexus, the development work put into the Gazoo Racing LC coupe all contributes to informing development of the technologies used within its road-going range. The Gazoo Racing LC’s engine is a modified version of the 5.0-litre powerplant found in the 10-speed, 471bhp LC500.

The Nürburgring 24 Hours takes place over the weekend of 22-23 June, with competitors tackling the full 25km, 170-plus corner circuit. Toyota Gazoo Racing and Lexus have competed in the event since 2007, with the aim of refining team members and making ever better cars.

• au TOM'S LC500 No. 36 with driver Kazuki NAKAJIMA / Yuhi SEKIGUCHI achieved victory for the first time this season at the 2019 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series at Suzuka Circuit.
• LEXUS LC500 swept the podium for the first time this season, with KeePer TOM'S No. 37 co-piloted by drivers Ryo HIRAKAWA / Nick CASSIDY in second place, followed by WAKO'S 4CR LC500 No. 6 with drivers Kazuya OSHIMA / Kenta YAMASHITA in third place.

GT300 class

• K-tunes RC F GT3 No. 96 co-piloted by Morio NITTA / Sena SAKAGUCHI won their second victory this season.

Driver comments: 

Kazuki NAKAJIMA (au TOM'S LC500 No. 36)

The car condition was good, so I tried to make some gap in the beginning. The other LC500 cars behind were faster than I expected, but we were able to race as planned. It was unlucky about the safety car, but the pit stop timing was perfect, and there was no time loss at the pit. After changing to Yuhi, there were some brethtaking scenes, but I knew that he wouldn't let anyone to overtake, and he came back in slamming first place. It really was a perfect race.

Yuhi SEKIGUCHI (au TOM'S LC500 No. 36)

The gap that driver Nakajima built disappeared due to the safety car, but the team made a good decision for the pit stop timing, and I was able to do my best in the out lap. To be honest, the pace was not good in the beginning, and we got stuck in the GT300 class cars that were laps behind, so I didn't push here to take care of the tires, and let the cars behind to use their tires. I was able to decide this from my experience at Thailand last year, that if I pushed hard in the back, I wouldn't be able to overtake later. Afterwards there was a timing that the the cars behind me were stuck in the GT300 class cars, so I pushed hard to increase the gap. As there was distance between the competitors, I knew I wouldn't be overtaken, and everything went well as I expected. Personally I am satisfied to achieve this excellent result with the outcome of my previous experience.

Ryo HIRAKAWA (KeePer TOM'S LC500 No. 37)

We did what we could do, so there is no regret. We wanted to win, but in reality our pace was not as good as No. 36 and No. 6. We lost our position at the pit stop, and raced with No. 6, so we thought we will be in third place, but Nick did a good job and got the chance to overtake. We couldn't get much points in the previous two races, so we were able to recover and get into the gear. The next circuit is Thailand, where our team has good match, but we have weight-handicap, so we will try hard to get the points and will also aim for huge points at the FUJI GT 500mile RACE.

Nick CASSIDY (KeePer TOM'S LC500 No. 37)

We did a great job. Thank you very much to the team and LEXUS, I'm glad I was able to contribute to LEXUS 1-2-3, and TOM'S Racing 1-2. I think that my passing of the final stage was a good move. We will keep pushing and we will try our best for the next round. The next race is at Thailand, which is the track I like and have confidence, so I will do my best.

Kazuya OSHIMA (WAKO'S 4CR LC500 No. 6)

The team did a good job at the pit stop. We had the chance to win several times, so we regret that we couldn't achieve this. Our aim is to win, so we are not satisfied with today's result, but it is the first podium this season, and our fans and team are happy, so that is good. We had speed, but there was something that was not enough, so we will keep to roll up our sleeves. The track of the next race at Thailand is my favorite, and we have the chance with less weight-handicap, so we will push hard to get the points.

Kenta YAMASHITA (WAKO'S 4CR LC500 No. 6)

We had the chance to win, so even if we got third place, we are not satisfied. It is too bad that we lost from the same car, and not the other manufactures. I am looking forward to racing in the next Thailand race, as I heard that the team is good match with the track, but I expect our rivals have less weight-handicap and will be very fast. Personally, I got third place last year at Thailand, so it shouldn't be bad, and I have the strong aim to win at least once this season.

This season, Lexus is represented by 6 teams running LC 500 in the GT500 Class of the Super GT championship, and 3 teams running RC F GT3 in the GT300 Class.

For more information please visit: https://supergt.net/news/single/19158

Drivers Standings (GT500)

Team Standings (GT500)

The Fuji GT 500km race, Round 2 of the 2019 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series, took place at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture on May 4th. Rain began to fall just before the race’s start and then stronger rain in the early going caused the race to be halted for a time. When the weather improved to allow a restart, what followed was exciting racing throughout that finally ended with a GT500 class victory for the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO LC500 (Yuji Tachikawa/Hiroaki Ishiura).

“It was a battle we could not lose with concentration from beginning to end, and overall it was a good race”, Yuji Tachikawa commented. “This season, we implemented a new structure in our team. There is a new responsibility for me and also pressure that we really need to win. We finished with a tough result for the first race, and TRD and the team made huge efforts, so we raced with a new mind set: where else could we win if we don’t win Fuji! We are happy we realized this. In yesterday’s qualifying, we could not choose the right tires and started in the middle of the grid. We had no idea what was going to happen in the rain, but it was good that we were able to come into the front at the beginning. After the track became dry, we had to concentrate until the very end to race with our rivals.”

This victory marked the first win of the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO LC500 since the 2017 Round 2 race at Fuji, as well as the 19^th career win for Yuji Tachikawa and the 6^th for Hiroaki Ishiura.

This season, Lexus is represented by 6 teams running LC 500 in the GT500 Class of the Super GT championship, and 3 teams running RC F GT3 in the GT300 Class.

For more information please visit: https://supergt.net/news/single/19056

        

• Team third overall in Blancpain GT Series
• Successful debut year for Lexus RC F GT3 in Blancpain GT Series
• Best-ever season for Swiss Team in renowned GT3 Series

Safenwil (Switzerland), 23 October 2018:

The first season for the Lexus RC F GT3 in the Blancpain GT Series is history since the last race in Barcelona. Following a modest start to the season, the Emil Frey Lexus Racing Team managed to close the gap swiftly and climbed onto the podium in only the fourth round of the championship in the most renowned GT3 Series in the world. Something that would have been difficult to understand at the beginning of the year, was reality at the end: until the finale race the Swiss led the Endurance Cup and secured second place with only six points missing to win the Cup. Additionally, Emil Frey Racing secured its best-ever team result with third place in the overall Team Championship. 

Hopes were high after the successful winter tests. However, in Zolder, a former Formula One track that requires hard driving over curbs featuring many tight corners, the performance did not match. The disappointment was great with two results outside the Top-10. Emil Frey Lexus Racing was also lacking a fair amount to the top teams at Monza, the high-speed temple. But with 17^thand 21^stposition in the race in a field stronger than 50 cars the team was slightly optimistic. 

Then followed the English double-strike with the Sprint Cup in Brands Hatch and the Endurance Cup in Silverstone. The first rewards were earned at the first engagement at the legendary track of Brands Hatch. Twice the team finished in the Top-10 and was satisfied with the turn taken. Two weeks later at Silverstone, “The Home of British Motorsport”, the team could not have asked for a better place for their first success. With P3 and P7 in qualifying and P3 in the race for the number 114 the first step onto the podium was done – an incredible achievement reflecting the immensely intense team work. 

One of the toughest tests was due with the 1000 km of Paul Ricard: 1000 km on a modern and fast track, serving as preparation for the famous Total 24 Hours of Spa. Qualifying showed once again a thriving form with 4^thand 8^thplace. The race should become one of the greatest thrillers of the year. The number 14 Lexus RC F GT3 was constantly running at the front. One hour before the end of the race the team was running in a great second place – then the incredible happened: Albert Costa Balboa found himself suddenly right at the tale of the Bentley number 7 and great two-way battle came head-to-head in the finale laps of the race. Left, right and centre, the Spaniard tried everything until he managed the impossible by taking the race lead three corners before the chequered flag, storming to take the very first overall victory for Lexus and the Emil Frey Racing Team in the Blancpain GT Series. 

Following the grand victory in France, the journey continued satisfyingly with three Top-10 results at the difficult track of Misano, in which the #114 quite incidentally secured its best-ever Sprint Cup result with P5. The highlight of the season was next with the Total 24 Hours of Spa, but despite the #14 Lexus making its way into Super Pole, more than 13^thplace in the race was not possible. The 24-hours-race was more than overshadowed by the heavy accident by Stéphane Ortelli in the Emil Frey Lexus RC F GT3, who was forced to pause from racing until the season final. 

Budapest was the next stop after a one-month summer break. Everyone expected a high-temperature heat battle, but severe rain and thunderstorms dominated the second-to-last Sprint Cup weekend at the Hungaroring. It was not an easy race. Despite difficult conditions, the #14 managed its best result with 6^thplace. The Sprint Cup Final took place at Nürburgring where Albert Costa Balboa showed once again a strong performance, storming to take second place in Q1. Unfortunately, the team was not able to take advantage of the good starting position and reached the positions fifth and nine and seventh and eighth respectively in the last two Sprint Cup races. 

The Swiss Privateer arrived at the great Season Final at Barcelona as leaders in the Endurance Cup. But the last race weekend of the year would ironically become the darkest of the year. With a disappointing qualifying including technical issues, further technical problems found their ways into both cars during the race, leading to the retirement of both Lexus RC F GT3. 

Despite all, the team secured for the first time in the history of the Swiss racing team the second place in the Endurance Cup as well as an outstanding third place in the overall standings. The groundwork for the future has been laid after a good debut year and the preparations for the 2019 season can begin. 

“For us it was the first full season with all ten races in the Blancpain GT Series and I think it could not have been more diversified”, reflects Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Team Principal Emil Frey Racing. “We were fighting with immense difficulties at the beginning, especially with finding the right Set-up with the Pirelli tyres, which were new for us this year. But once again our team demonstrated professional team work, continuously trying to find improvements day and night to make the Lexus RC F GT3 competitive in a matter of short time. The accident at Spa was a huge shock to all of us, and I was very happy to see Stéphane Ortelli race with us again at the season finale at Barcelona. We set a few milestones with a podium and a race win. Now we have to take the experience and the data from this year and use them for the preparations over the winter to use for next year – to attack even stronger. I am immensely proud of our team and the development we have gone through and I am excited to see the next steps.”

For more information, please visit www.emilfreyracing.com

CONTACT

Damian Unger

Emil Frey Lexus Racing

Schürmattstrasse I CH-5745 Safenwil

T: +41 (0) 62 788 81 71

du@emilfreyracing.com I www.emilfreyracing.com

• au TOM's LC500 No.36 with drivers Kazuki NAKAJIMA / Yuhi SEKIGUCHI achieved victory for the first time this season at the 2018 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series at Fuji International Speedway.
• KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.1 co-piloted by Ryo HIRAKAWA / Nick CASSIDY recorded second place.
• LEXUS LC500 achieved two consecutive victories.

GT300 class

• K-tunes RC F GT3 No.96 finished 10th place.

Kazuki NAKAJIMA (au TOM'S LC500 No.36)

"This race was a race we must win, and it meant the season will end for us if we didn't. So we are relieved for this victory. Our team didn't have luck this season, especially Yuhi didn't have it, so I am happy for the win, which is the first time after we became the same team. The performance was good as well as the rivals, and partially we were better than them. The race was a grueling contest, and we took some risk, but able to race without damage in the long distance, so I feel this result is a reward for us. I am also greatful that it is the first time to achieve one-two finish for team TOM's."

Yuhi SEKIGUCHI (au TOM'S LC500 No.36)

"The previous race at Thailand was regretful, so I am happy with the victory. When I started the last stint, we were not in position one yet, but we decided to go with the soft tire, so we didn't give up for it. This is the first podium and first victory for me, after transfering to this team, so I am relieved for the result. The breaking was difficult in the end, and our teammate No.1 (KeePer TOM' LC500) came right behind, so I had to give a lot of attention while racing. I heard it was the first one-two finish for team TOM's, so it's a great day for the team."

Ryo HIRAKAWA (KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.1)

"Yesterday we were able to pass the Q1 and start from the seventh grid, in the condition of restrictor and severe weight handicap, so our target was to achieve fourth place. The car's condition was good in this morning‘s warm up, and the pace improved after the race started, so we were able to catch up. We suffered several times with the back marker and had time loss. It's the first one-two finish for team TOM's, so thanks to the team who worked hard in the pit. We are at the top of the ranking now, but we will race in the next SUGO, considering about the Round 7 at Autopolis where the weight handicap will become half. There is not much difference with the points in the ranking, and there are cases such as No.36 being in a higher rank at a stroke by one race, so we need to be careful."

Nick CASSIDY (KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.1)

"We had a restrictor and had massive weight so it's a good success we didn't get a lap behind. Our highest speed was inferior compared to the rivals, but we were able to race the long 800km, with finishing by a narrow margin to No.36, so I think we did a good job. Rivals were strong, unbelievable on the straight, as they are in a different category, but we were also strong enough for the podium. We are happy with the one-two finish for team TOM's, but we feel regret at the same time because we also had a chance to win."

GT300 Class Result

Drivers Standings (GT500)

Team Standings (GT500)

Starting with the 423 DIN hp, V8-powered, IS F, and taking in the legendary LFA supercar, the 477 DIN hp RC F coupe and the GS F saloon, Lexus F cars have always been at the heart of the performance and excitement of the Lexus brand.

The festivities will begin at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where five-time Daytona winner and former Lexus LFA development driver Scott Pruett will be taking to the hill in the Lexus RC F GT3 racing car – recently a winner in both the American IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship and the Blancpain GT Series in Europe.

Scott will be at the wheel of the American 3GT Racing car, which sports a distinctive blue chrome livery.

The American racing legend will be joined by Briton Jack Hawksworth, who currently races the 3GT Racing RC F GT3 in IMSA. Jack will be driving a race-prepared RC F Cup sporting a one-off Lexus ‘F’ livery. Abbie Eaton, test driver on television’s The Grand Tour, will also be driving up the hill at the wheel of the iconic Lexus LFA.

The new RC F 10th Anniversary, which features an exclusive Mercury Grey matt paint finish last used on the LFA and striking Blue Carbon interior upholstery, will make its dynamic debut in the First Glance paddock.

The 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held from Thursday July 12 to Sunday July 15 on the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England. More information can be found on www.goodwood.com/flagship-events/festival-of-speed/.

Lexus Team SARD drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Kamui Kobayashi took the chequered flag in their LC 500, giving Lexus its first win of the season and Kobayashi his first ever victory in the series.

In the hands of Kovalainen and Kobayashi, the DENSO KOBELCO SARD LC 500 took just 1:36'42.8 to complete 66 laps of the four-year old circuit north-east of Bangkok to take the win.

Crossing the line in second place just 2.86 seconds behind the winning LC 500 was the Lexus Team LEMANS WAKO'S LC 500 of Kazuya Oshima and Felix Rosenqvist with Team WedsSport BANDOH's pairing of Yuji Kunimoto and Kenta Yamashita taking third in their LC 500 to give Lexus a clean sweep.

In a thrilling fourth round of the season, it was a fierce battle from the halfway mark in the 300km race as four Lexus LC 500s led the field.

The au TOM'S LC 500 driven by Kazuki Nakajima and Yuhi Sekiguchi showed astonishing speed with Sekiguchi having clocked the fastest lap time of the race of 1'24.977 and was in with a chance to vie for the lead.

But the car suddenly slowed and stopped on the final lap having run out of fuel, leaving the way open for the WAKO'S and WedsSport cars to take podium positions with another Lexus LC 500, the Team ZENT CERUMO car driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Hiroaki Ishiura, rounding out the top four.

Victory in Thailand has given Finnish driver Kovalainen a narrow three-point lead in the drivers' standings, while Lexus Team SARD is also at the top of the teams' leaderboard with four rounds to go.

For Kobayashi, it was a thrilling first victory that came together through a complete team effort. "The team has worked very hard, and I am very happy to win in this condition, he said. I would like to thank the team for putting things together, and also appreciate Heikki for pushing and passing me the vehicle in first position. It was not an easy race, but I tried my best to maintain the position by using the margin Heikki made."

The Super GT Championship heads back to Japan on August 4-5 for the Fuji GT race at the iconic circuit below Mount Fuji.

Emil Frey Lexus Racing has gained a place in history books with its sensational win at the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup at Paul Ricard. Two months following the disappointing start to the season, Spaniard Albert Costa Balboa took the lead of only half a lap prior to the end, crossing the finishing line in the Lexus RC F GT3 as winner of the six-hour race at Le Castellet.

Rarely has a GT3 race in the recent past been so competitive and exciting. From a total of 51 race cars the Top-24 were running within one second and the fight for the front positions began already into the first corner. Christian Klien in the number 14 came from fourth on the grid into second place, whilst his team-mate Stéphane Ortelli in the sister car #114 had also a strong first stint, dashing from eighth place up into third in only a matter of a few laps and having a great nose-to-tail battle with the #1 Audi of Dries Vanthoor.

The #14 with Costa Balboa re-joined the race in P2 after the first pitstop with a gap of 3.7 seconds to the leader. Markus Palttala had a quiet stint in the #114 and pitted for the next stop from P5.

At nightfall, both Lexus RC F GT3 were promisingly heading for a podium. Norbert Siedler in the #114 had a strong fight with the #7 Bentley, but following a small contact had to settle in fourth position. Ortelli took over the #114 on lap 91, but also suffered contact with another car, which forced the Monegasque to come into the pits with damage on the steering. Despite outstanding teamwork of the mechanics, the fight for the lead was lost for this car. The team used the remaining hours to test and prepare for the highlight of the season, the 24-hours of Spa.

Meanwhile, Marco Seefried was running in a good fourth spot in the #14 and handed the Lexus RC F GT3 over to Costa Balboa for the last hour of the race. Once the leading #72 Ferrari suffered an engine failure and the second-placed McLaren #58 was penalised with a Drive-Through, the Emil Frey Lexus Racing Team found itself suddenly running in second place. But the fight for the lead was heating-up. Costa Balboa was only 0.8 seconds behind the leading Bentley with eight minutes to go until the chequered flag. On the very last lap, the Spaniard took the lead of the race in a great overtaking move coming into Turn 10 half a lap before the end of the race, securing an incredible first victory for the Lexus crew in the Blancpain GT Series.

Following on from the strong third place at Silverstone, the first victory was sealed in only the fifth race of the season. Emil Frey Lexus Racing is now leading the Endurance Cup team's standings.

The next race of the Blancpain GT Series will take place with the Sprint Cup weekend in Misano (Italy) from 22 to 24 June 2018.

For more information, please visit www.emilfreyracing.com

Safenwil (Switzerland), 15 February 2018 - Following an exciting season and the very successful debut year of the newly-found Emil Frey Lexus Team, the private race team from Switzerland is launching at full speed into the 2018 season. Team Principal Lorenz Frey was joined by numerous invited guests and media representatives at the official opening of the new workshop today at the headquarter in Safenwil, announcing exclusive information about the upcoming year.

After having their eyes on winning the International GT Open Championship last year, the only team running Lexus in Europe will move up into the highly renowned Blancpain GT Series, participating in both the Sprint as well as the Endurance Cup with two Lexus RC F GT3.

Some of the racing driver names driving for Emil Frey Lexus Racing are well known from previous years. Amongst the well-experienced, former Le-Mans winner Stéphane Ortelli (Monaco), there are the former Formula 1 driver Christian Klien (Austria), the German Marco Seefried, the Austrian Norbert Siedler, Markus Paltalla from Finland and one of the Lexus star pilots from 2017, the Spaniard Albert Costa Balboa.

“Today was a special day as we had the great pleasure of presenting our new workshop to many invited guests and informed about the upcoming season”, said Lorenz Frey, Team Principal Emil Frey Lexus Racing. “It is always nice to see familiar faces ahead of the official start of the season. Even though the Blancpain GT Series is not a new championship for us, it is still a new challenge to compete with two relatively new race cars. Especially the Sprint Cup is something very exciting despite having had a brief visit at last year´s race meeting at Nürburgring. The team is highly motivated, we have strong drivers and can built upon the know-how from last year. We are very excited ahead of the first race.”

"We are proud to work together with and represent brand like Lexus," Lorenz mentioned. "Exhilarating Performance is one of the 5 main pillars of the brand and there is no better way to show that strength as with racing activities. It also gives us motivation and encouragement when we see the excitement and interest of the fellow Lexus colleagues and clients from all over the Europe when they visit us in our workshop or at the circuit.''

The new season will start for Emil Frey Lexus Racing with the season opener of the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup, taking place on 6 April 2018 at Zolder (Belgium), marking the first showdown for the two Lexus RC F GT3 in an international GT3 grid.

For more information, please visit http://www.emilfreyracing.com

The Nürburgring 24 Hours race is held yearly at the Nürburgring in central Germany — known as the world's most gruelling course — and 2018 sees the final of this 46th race taking place from May 12th through May 13th.

In 2018, the Lexus LC will be competing for the first time. This car has been refined to race specifications by the company’s mechanics and engineers, and incorporates advanced development technologies destined for future production vehicles such as sports cars. It's all part of our company’s efforts towards "making ever-better cars" through activities aimed at "refining people, refining cars".

Competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race with the Lexus LC will enable us to introduce the following advanced development technologies destined for future production vehicles:
・Body technology development (reducing weight, increasing rigidity)
・Driver assistance technology (enhancing visibility, etc.)
・Aerodynamics development
・Engine development (increasing power by reducing friction, enhancing fuel economy, etc.)
・Suspension technology (reducing weight, increasing rigidity, enhancing responsiveness, etc.)

The four drivers for this race will be Takeshi Tsuchiya, as the chief driver, along with young drivers Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo, and Yuichi Nakayama.

“The race car we are currently developing, the Lexus LC, is still in its infancy and finally beginning to take its first steps’, said Takeshi Tsuchiya, Driver. “It will be some time before it can properly stand by itself, but it will be well worth the effort, and I'm delighted to actually be involved in the company’s efforts towards "making ever-better cars" for the future. As the drivers, the four of us will work together to bring the company's goals to fruition.”

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring involves driving continuously for twenty-four hours on a 25 kilometer course featuring 300 meters of elevation change and about 200 corners.

Once again, this year Lexus vehicle joins the Endurance Championship to compete in this high-impact, full-throttle challenge.

Takuto Iguchi, Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo and Hisashi Yabuki are now sharing the helm of the RC. In the SP3T category the crew will fight for the class victory. This year the cycle of vehicle production and testing have been significantly accelerated, and the RC is performing well so far.

The mechanics and engineers aim to test the cars to the limits and learn how to make them better than ever, by gaining experience under even harsher conditions than testing and evaluations conducted on regular test courses. This valuable experience is subsequently fed back into the development of all kinds of vehicles.

Driver and Chief Mechanic's comments:

The long-distance race at the Nürburgring starts on Thursday with outdoor trainings and qualifying sessions, the 24-hour championship will kick off on Saturday (27 May) at 3.30 pm.

24 HOURS NÜRBURGRING ENDURANCE RACE TEAM LINE-UP, 2017

For more please visit http://toyotagazooracing.com/nurburgring/.

The all-new car, now homologated by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, will participate in racing championships in USA and Japan, as well as a number of selected European races.

In the USA, Lexus has supplied two Lexus RC F GT3 to the 3GT Racing team, to compete in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series.

In Japan, two cars are contesting the GT300 class of the Super GT Series with the LM corsa team.

In Europe, Farnbacher Racing and Emil Frey Racing, the two teams which competed in VLN Endurance series with RC F GT3 prototype vehicles last year, will continue their development work this season, aiming to compete at higher levels in GT3 racing in Europe in the future. On this basis, they will compete in European races in 2017, including selected events in the International GT Open series.

Last year, Lexus became the first Asian carmaker to win a VLN Endurance Championship race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a RC F GT3 prototype claiming overall victory at the VLN9 race on 8 October.

Lexus also achieved outstanding results last year with the RC F GT500, another racing car derived from the RC F. The 2016 RC F GT500 dominated the Super GT series in Japan last year, with Team SARD and drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Kohei Hirate respectively claiming the team and drivers’ championship titles in the GT500 category.

SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle Name LEXUS RC F GT3

Engine 5.4 L V8

Power 373+ kW (500+ hp)

Torque not available

Transmission 6-sd sequential racing box

Wheels 13x18 ft, 13 x 18 rr - centre-lock

Brakes iron rotors

Wheelbase 2730 mm

Overall Length 4845 mm

Overall Width 2030 mm

Overall Height 1270 mm

Curb Weight 1,300 kg

Testing of the race car is expected to start in September 2016 with the new coupe making its race debut in Japan's Super GT series during the next year, replacing the Lexus RC F in the series.

The LC 500 and its hybrid version, the LC 500h, have been designed as grand touring coupes. The race car version has therefore been substantially modified for racing purposes, including the fitment of an enhanced aerodynamic package, weight reduction measures and a bespoke race-spec powertrain.

Striking body work for the LC 500 race car incorporates boldly widened fenders, muscular skirts, large spoiler and rear diffuser and multiple vents for downforce and heat extraction.

These features enhance the flagship coupe's aerodynamic shape, dramatic curves and wide, imposing stance while retaining the distinctive Lexus spindle grille and L-shaped lights.

With a minimum weight of 1,020kg, the lightweight race car will be powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbocharged engine driven through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Lexus LC 500 race car specifications:

• Length (mm): 4960
• Width (mm): 1950
• Height (mm): 1220
• Wheelbase (mm): 2750
• Engine type: Four-cylinder turbo
• Engine capacity (cm3): 2000
• Fuel system: Direct injection
• Transmission: Six-speed sequential
• Weight (kg, minimum): 1020