Ben Barnicoat praised Vasser Sullivan’s attentive racing approach ahead of the team’s GTD Pro class win defence at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
The 28-year-old British driver explained Vasser Sullivan’s key approach as they prepare for the second IMSA SportsCar Championship round on 15 March.
Replying to Motorsport Week in a pre-event press conference, he said: “I think with it being a 12-hour race, that’s obviously a very long race, you’ve always got to keep that in mind.
“It’s one of these things, you got to [avoid getting] caught up. You’ve got to keep your focus on the things that matter as well.
“You’re coming from a 24 hour race [Daytona] and obviously cutting it in half. But, you know, I think that’s something that we’re very good at as a team.
“If you look at our race last year, for example, we had a drive-through penalty and we’re at the back after the first round of pit stops.
“But then we recovered very well just because I think we’re very good at sort of keeping our eyes on the prize, [and] let’s say not getting caught up in that moment.
“It would be quite easy when you’re on the back-foot to try and overreact and try and get back to the front too quickly and make mistakes.
“I think that’s something that our engineer, Jeff Ficklin is very, very good – you know – kind of looking into his crystal ball as such and knowing where we need to be at the right times in these big endurance races… “
Vasser Sullivan as reigning GTD Pro winners
The team scored their maiden 12 Hours of Sebring victory last year thus stand as reigning winners in the GTD Pro category.
Jack Hawksworth put the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 on pole position before himself and co-drivers Barnicoat and Kyle Kirkwood turned their strong qualifying performance into a win.
They beat Risi Competizione, who won their first 24 Hours of Daytona in GTD Pro last year, to the flag with a robust strategy which brought them back to the front of the field.
Aaron Telitz will join Lexus factory driver Barnicoat and Kirkwood for the race as the #14 Lexus team faces 10 other GTD Pro competitors for the win at the 73rd running of the Sebring 12 Hours.
Vasser Sullivan’s #14 Lexus scored 11th place at the 24 Hours of Daytona on 25-26 January so look to rejuvenate their form having taken the 2023 GTD Pro championship title and followed up with fifth in the 2024 standings.
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