Lexus Racing and Vasser Sullivan have revealed that Gazoo Racing drivers Ritomo Miyata and Mike Conway will join the team for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona next month. This completes the driver crews for the #12 and #14 Lexus RC F GT3 GTD entries.
Miyata, the reigning 2023 Super Formula and Super GT500 Champion, will join Parker Thompson, Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz in the #12 Lexus RC F GT3.
In 2024, the 24-year-old is also set to compete in Formula 2, the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class, and will be the reserve driver for the Gazoo Racing WEC Hypercar team.
“First, I want to say thank you to the Vasser Sullivan team, Lexus, TRD and Gazoo Racing for giving me this opportunity,” Miyata said.
“The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be the first time I’ve competed internationally outside of Japanese motorsports so I’m very excited and looking forward to working with the team.”
Meanwhile, two-time FIA WEC champion and 2021 Le Mans winner Conway joins 2023 IMSA GTD Pro champions Jack Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat and Kyle Kirkwood driving the #14 sister car in GTD Pro. Hawksworth, Barnicoat and Conway teamed up for the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona and earned a third-place podium finish.
“I’m really looking forward to being back with Vasser Sullivan in the Lexus again for the Rolex 24,” Conway added.
“Jack (Hawksworth) and Ben (Barnicoat) had a really solid year, winning the championship, so it will be good to be back with those guys again. I’m looking forward to having Kyle (Kirkwood) in the car with us as well. It will be good to have another crack at Daytona.
“We came up short last year, but hopefully we’ll have things stronger for us. I can’t wait to get back on track in January at the Roar. Looking forward to working with everyone again.”
Next season in GTD Pro Hawksworth and Barnicoat will share the #14 full time, while Thompsan and Montecalvo will drive the #12 for the full campaign.
“As the Lexus Racing programme continues to grow, we are fortunate to work closely with our global racing partners in Gazoo Racing,” said Jeff Bal, senior manager, Lexus Motorsport. “Opportunities like this allow us to better share resources and apply learnings across multiple series in many of our global racing efforts.
“Adding championship-winning GR drivers Ritomo Miyata and Mike Conway to our Rolex 24 lineup gives Vasser Sullivan and Lexus two solid chances to win this prestigious endurance race. Coming off winning both Super Formula open wheel and SuperGT500 sportscar championships, we can’t wait to see what Ritomo can do in the RC F GT3.
“We also welcome Mike back for a second time in the #14 and we’re excited to have Kyle joining as well. Adding Conway and Kirkwood to the GTD PRO championship-winning Lexus as well as adding Ritomo alongside Frankie, Parker and Aaron in the #12 Lexus gives both teams a great chance to contend for a few Rolex watches come Sunday afternoon.”
