Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat will return to Vasser Sullivan to defend their IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship GTD Pro title, the team has confirmed.
Hawksworth has raced for Vasser Sullivan since 2019, whereas Barnicoat joined to partner Hawksworth in 2022. They took both their and the team’s first IMSA title in the GTD Pro class, driving the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 in the series, winning two races, at Long Beach and Watkins Glen, along the way.
They will be joined by Indycar driver Kyle Kirkwood for the IMSA Endurance Cup events, of which there will be six next year, starting with the Daytona 24 Hours in January.
The duo also tested the Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar at the FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test earlier this week, with Barnicoat the faster of the two, setting a 1:50.740 in the afternoon session.
“To say I am excited as we look to defend our GTD PRO title in 2024 would be an understatement,” Hawksworth said.
“We have a great foundation and consistency within the Lexus and Vasser Sullivan team which will allow us to keep pushing forward, work on refining our processes and bettering ourselves as we prepare for the challenges we’ll face in 2024.
“I couldn’t ask for better teammates than Ben (Barnicoat) and Kyle (Kirkwood), and to be surrounded by such a talented and dedicated group in the garage and on the pit stand is special.”
Meanwhile, Barnicoat said: “2023 was such a special year, and I’ve never enjoyed my racing as much, and it’s for this reason I’m delighted to continue working with all the incredible staff involved with our program.”
“The GTD PRO class is set to grow next year, which is great for the series and for our Lexus Racing fans who will be watching us and supporting us every step of the way as we take the fight to our rivals. The goal is clear, to defend the title, and I can’t wait to get to business at Daytona.”
