Monday, April 15, 2024 – Highlands, NJ – Vasser Sullivan is set to “remix” the driver line up for the Long Beach Grand Prix on Saturday, April 20th. Vasser Sullivan driver Frankie Montecalvo, who normally shares the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 with Parker Thompson, will be paired with Jack Hawksworth for the 100-minute street race. Thompson will pilot a second GTD entry, the No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3, with Ben Barnicoat.
The Grand Prix of Long Beach will only feature the GTP and GTD classes, leaving Hawksworth and Barnicoat with an open weekend. With Montecalvo and Thompson both rated as silver drivers, Vasser Sullivan saw the opportunity to pair their two GTD Pro class drivers with Montecalvo and Thompson and field two entries for the first sprint race of the 2024 season.
“I’m incredibly excited to start the IMSA WeatherTech west coast swing this weekend at the Long Beach Grand Prix. It’s a great event with a fantastic atmosphere, and historically, the Vasser Sullivan cars have performed well there,” said Montecalvo.
“I’ve been a part of the Vasser Sullivan team for the past six years. While Jack [Hawksworth] has also been on the team for as long as I have, we’ve never had the opportunity to share a car, so I’m excited to be paired with him at Long Beach.”
“I finished third at Long Beach last year in the GTD class with Aaron Telitz, while Jack and Ben won the GTD Pro class in 2023. The Grand Prix is a special race for Lexus and Vasser Sullivan, so we have one goal this weekend, and that’s to win. Having two Lexus race cars in the field gives us the greatest opportunity to do that.”
“We know the cars perform well at this circuit. Jack and Ben are just coming off a massive win at Sebring, so they’re both ready to keep that momentum rolling. The GTD class is extremely competitive, but I think we’re going to have two of the strongest driver line ups in the class, and we’re ready to take it to the streets.”
On track action for the Long Beach Grand Prix begins Friday, April 19 with two practices and a qualifying session. The race will take place on Saturday, April 20 at 4:35 PM ET. You can watch live on USA Network or the Peacock App with coverage beginning at 4:30 PM ET. Don’t forget to follow Frankie on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with current broadcast times and all of Frankie’s racing news.
