3GT Racing Finishes Top Five at Watkins Glen
WATKINS GLEN, NY (July 1, 2018) – 3GT Racing’s No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3, with Jack Hawksworth at the wheel, finished fourth in the Sahlens Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.
Jack Hawksworth started the race from the pole position, he qualified Saturday, and quickly reached his fastest lap during the race on his tenth lap. It was also the fastest lap in the GTD class, 1:45:673.
This is the second time Hawksworth had the fastest lap of the GTD class during the six-hour endurance race at Watkins Glen. His other fastest lap at Watkins Glen came in 2017.
Together, the No. 15 drivers (including David Heinemeier Hansson and Mario Farnbacher) lead for 64 laps, in the GTD class.
Hawksworth said he was happy with the race, but disappointed in the finish.
“The guys did a really good job and both cars were really strong,” Hawksworth said. “We had an issue late in the race that set us back a bit, but I managed to pick a few guys off at the end and finished fourth. Both David (Heinemeier Hansson) and Mario (Farnbacher) did a fantastic job. Obviously (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) is next and it’s another track that should suit our Lexus. Happy to get the fastest lap of the race, that’s always a good thing. Looking forward to next week.”
Heinemeier Hansson was happy with his stint today, but disappointed in the finish. “I really wish we would’ve had a better finish today,” he said. “Our Lexus was really strong but unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the podium we deserved today. Looking forward to moving on to Mosport where the team ran strong last year.”
Mario Farnbacher, who joined Hawksworth and DHH in the No. 15 for the endurance race, said he thought the race was tough, particularly because of the heat, but also because the car felt great and he thought a podium was headed their way.
“We did a good job,” Farnbacher said. “We got a bit unlucky after the second to last pit stop and without that problem, I think a podium was definitely in it. The pace was there, the BOP was pretty equal everywhere. In the end Jack did a really good job overtaking other guys on the track. There are still opportunities for the team this year.”
3GT Racing’s Managing Partner, Paul Gentilozzi, said the race started out well with both cars and he was happy with the pace.
“We have a tendency to start out so strong in these longer races then circumstances happen – happened to us and to our competitors,” Gentilozzi said. “But we showed great pace. I think the GTD field is closer in performance than any other field that IMSA has. All the cars are equal, everybody ran within 3/10 of one percent on lap times and durations. I think our driver strategy was good on both cars. The 14 didn’t really get to race, but we’ll take fourth – it helps us in the points. We lose a couple to the 48 car, but we’re just moving on.”
Dominik Baumann and Kyle Marcelli, co-drivers in the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3, were both disappointed in the early ending for their Lexus RC F GT3.
Marcelli, who qualified the No 14 and started the race in third position, had a great stint. Moving quickly shortly after he started to get into second position.
“This one hurts the most because we had a fast car,” Marcelli said. “We had a fast car one lap at a time and we had a fast car over the duration of a whole stint. We should have had a good result today and it’s just an unfortunate issue that got in the way.
The unfortunate issue appeared to be with the fuel pump. It happened shortly after Dominik Baumann began his stint.
“I had no power at one point,” Baumann said. “I tried to shift down and shift up, and nothing happened then suddenly it came back, but then it happened again. So, we thought let’s get to the truck and try to fix it. We had no fuel pressure on the car, so there was no power anymore. The good thing is we had a really good Lexus. It’s promising for next weekend and for all the next races.
Next up is Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Sunday, July 8.
About 3GT Racing
3GT Racing was formed to race the Lexus RC F GT3. Owned and operated by five-time Trans-Am Series Champion, Paul Gentilozzi and his longtime partners, Tony and John Gentilozzi, the East Lansing, Michigan-based team principals have been involved in motorsports for more than 48 years and have claimed more than 75 victories and 15 manufacturer and driver championships.
