Since Lexus‘ announcement in December that Team Lexus will field two IS 350s in the 2006 American Le Mans Series’ GT2 class, the team has been hard at work preparing the cars for their first racing season. The new cars will challenge GT2-class stalwarts Porsche and Panoz while taking on new entries from Ferrari and BMW.
“Although we’d love to be racing this weekend in Houston, building a new, competitive, GT2 car from the ground up is a complex undertaking,” said Team Lexus owner Chuck Goldsborough. “Our team has been working very hard to design and build the new cars, with inevitable challenges along the way. Once complete, the task of development then starts and must ramp up very quickly.”
The level of GT2 American Le Mans Series competition underscores the challenges inherent in building a sedan to compete on even terms. Top GT2 competitors include the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ferrari F430GT, Panoz Esperante GTLM and BMW M3—all formidable cars.
With its production-based V6 providing more than 450 hp to propel a race car weighing less than 2,800 lbs., the new IS 350 GT2 promises to be plenty quick. The car also will retain its double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, suitably modified for the task and tuned to work with the large BBS-mounted Michelin racing slicks. StopTech will provide an upgraded brake package.
The team expects to begin testing in the next few weeks with the goal of a race debut in July. But the final decision on race timing will be based on test and development program results. “With the majority of the American Le Mans Series schedule taking place after July 1, it simply makes sense to be patient and develop the car properly,” said Philip Gaviola, Lexus motorsports manager. “And with the caliber of competition in the GT2 class, it’s going to be a steep learning curve regardless of when the IS 350 makes its debut.”
05/15, 10:48 AM
posted by:
Cartman
The difference is that with BMW, Porsche and Ferrari you can actually go buy a formidable road car that at least shares a soul with the race car. What’s the point anyway, does anyone who buys a Lexus care about motorsport anyway (and vice versa)?
05/15, 11:46 AM
posted by:
Ahk-Med
Lexus is criticized for not have “passion” and a racing herritage and then criticized again when they try improve in these percieved short commings.
Cartman, BMW is fine, but dropping Porsche and Ferrari as a comparison to Lexus is a stretch.
05/15, 12:15 PM
posted by:
Northeasterner
Lexus wants to run with the big dogs. I say bring it on, let’s see what you’ve got.
05/15, 12:47 PM
posted by:
Asher
This will be REALLY interesting to watch unfold…if it fails, it will confirm all the comments from L-Haters and keep Lexus a tier or two below the Germans likely for a long time to come. However, IF this risky project should succeed(especially a la Audi R8), this single entry could ultimately be the definitive changing point for Lexus from a mass producer of solid autos to a respected racing marque as REAL respect is initiated during the LeMans series…
05/15, 2:06 PM
posted by:
Cartman
Ahkmed, I was just mentioning the three marques from the article against which Lexus would be competing against, but I agree with you (I think) that the comparison is a stretch. In any event, I’m all for more competition so I echo the sentiment that more competition is better. I guess all I’m saying is that it would be great if the racing program led to some better road cars from Lexus. For some reason Toyota spends a fortune in racing (e.g. F1) but this never seems to trickle down into the road cars (other than perhaps traction control in the new Avalon or some other very tenuous connection.)
05/15, 2:09 PM
posted by:
Pete
I agree with Asher’s comments -IF- the knowledge learned by Lexus in racing is applied to their street cars. If it’s all for show and there is no exchange of knowledge betweem the race and street cars, this will be just another exercise in marketing. Good luck to them, there’s some outstanding competition in the field already.
05/15, 2:54 PM
posted by:
VDub
Lexus doesn’t have the heritage as the euro cars but let’s see what lexus can do first before you judge
05/16, 1:53 AM
posted by:
Sean
I say this is another POS asian-made car
05/16, 4:02 AM
posted by:
digitalzombie
Go lexus! More competition!!
05/17, 8:27 AM
posted by:
alws
Dont forget guys that Lexus is running the SC in superGT .. and its doing grate!
Won its first outing…
http://bestmotoringvideo.com/SuperGT/media/IMG%203555_01.jpg