IMSA News: Vasser Sullivan announce 2024 GTD lineup
Vasser Sullivan announced that Parker Thompson and Frankie Montecalvo will be the full-season drivers of the SealMaster liveried No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 entry in all 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class events. Aaron Telitz will join Thompson and Montecalvo in the No.12 Lexus for the IMSA endurance races.
The No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus is coming off a third place finish in the 2023 GTD Championship.
Thompson will be competing in his second season for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. He moves into the full-time position after driving all the endurance races for the team last year. Thompson has consistently won in every championship series in which he has competed since 2015. In 2021 and 2022, Thompson competed full-time in the IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America series. He placed third in the 2021 championship and won the championship in 2022. In just his third race with the team, he co-drove the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus with Montecalvo and Telitz to victory at Watkins Glen.
Montecalvo will be contesting his sixth season with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus in the IMSA GTD class. In 2019, he co-drove the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 to a second place showing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Montecalvo had a breakout season in 2020, capturing his first IMSA win (Road America) and first IMSA poles (Grand Prix of Sebring and Grand Prix at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta). In five seasons with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus, Montecalvo has scored two victories and four poles.
Telitz will also be returning for his sixth IMSA season with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus in the IMSA GTD class. He ran endurance races for the team in 2019 before becoming a full-time driver in 2020. During the 2020 season, Telitz teamed with Hawksworth to win the GTD Sprint Cup Driver, Team and Manufacturer championships. He was also part of the 2019 No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus effort that produced a second-place finish in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In four IMSA seasons with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus, Telitz has earned five wins and five poles.
Vasser Sullivan and Lexus recently announced that Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat will co-drive the SealMaster liveried No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 in GTD PRO. In addition, Kyle Kirkwood will drive in selected endurance races. Additional announcements will be forthcoming.
The Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 entries return to the track in the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 19-21, 2024, to prepare for the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 27-28, 2024.
Quotes:
Vasser Sullivan Team Principals Jimmy Vasser and James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan:
“We are competing for championships, and Parker, Frankie and Aaron will co-drive the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus in our fight for the 2024 IMSA GTD class championship. Consistency is the nucleus of our GTD Championship bid, and we’ve got that here with these drivers who are all winners.”
Jeff Bal, Senior Manager – Motorsports, Experiential Marketing & Sponsorships – Lexus Division
“We’re thrilled to have three race-winning drivers back with Vasser Sullivan in the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 for the 2024 season. Aaron and Frankie have both been key partners of ours behind the wheel of the RC F GT3, and we’re excited to see a young, up-and-coming talent like Parker competing full-time in the Lexus next season. All three drivers were a part of the program’s historic double win at Watkins Glen last season and we’re confident they will chase more wins and the GTD class championship in 2024.”
Parker Thompson:
“I couldn’t be prouder to be racing in IMSA WeatherTech GTD full-time in 2024 with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. After a decade of grinding my way up the ladder, it is a dream come true to earn a full-time position in this world- renowned sports car championship with such an esteemed team. The opportunity to continue to represent Vasser Sullivan and Lexus is something I don’t take lightly. I’m hungrier than ever to build off the success we had last year, especially when I get to drive with a stud like Frankie Montecalvo all season long! It’s also fantastic to have proven winner Aaron Telitz join us for the endurance rounds, and keep the continuity that led to the team’s successful finish in 2023. It’s incredible how fast your career can change when you are surrounded with good people, and you can’t find a better group of people than Sulli, Jimmy, Jeff Bal, and all of the men and women behind our Lexus RC F GT3. I can’t thank them enough. It’s time to give everything I have to fight for a Championship in 2024!”
Frankie Montecalvo:
“I’m thrilled to be back with Vasser Sullivan for the sixth consecutive season. It’s a great benefit to be able to continue after a very successful 2023 season. We were able to clinch third in the overall GTD championship and I feel if we continue that momentum we should only improve for next year. I’m also happy to be back with Aaron and Parker. I feel we have a very strong driver lineup and should have no problem driving our Lexus RC F GT3 to more race wins.”
Aaron Telitz:
“Back home where it all started with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus as the endurance driver of the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3. Big thanks to Jimmy, Sulli, and Lexus for the opportunity to continue with the team and brand that got me into sports car racing. I’m ready to go on full attack in the five endurance races with Parker and Frankie. It is now more important than ever to be strong in the endurance races as they make up half the season. The No. 12 Lexus will be a force in the GTD ranks in 2024 and I can’t wait to get going!”