Vasser Sullivan Racing has announced that Marvin Kirchhöfer will drive the #14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3 in next week’s Monterey SportsCar Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Kirchhöfer will share the #14 Lexus with co-driver Aaron Telitz, as Lexus factory driver Ben Barnicoat continues to recover from injuries sustained in a mountain biking accident.
In his last IMSA appearance, the German driver took the GTD class win in this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona for AWA. Normally a McLaren factory GT driver – just days removed from finishing third in the British GT Silverstone 500 – Kirchhöfer has once again received approval to represent Lexus in this relief appearance and tested with Vasser Sullivan at Laguna Seca earlier this month to prepare.
“First of all, I want to wish a speedy recovery to Ben (Barnicoat). I’ll try my best to be a good replacement in Laguna Seca,” Kirchhöfer said today. “I appreciate the trust of Lexus, Vasser Sullivan Racing, and TRD for the opportunity to race with them in Laguna Seca. I would also like to thank McLaren for letting me pursue this opportunity. I’m very excited to get behind the wheel of the Lexus RC F GT3 and I really hope that we can get a strong result in one of the toughest tracks the series competes at.”
Kirchhöfer drove in last year’s Monterey SportsCar Championship for Pfaff Motorsports and finished second in GTD PRO, the best result for Pfaff’s troubled campaign with the McLaren 720S GT3 EVO.
“While we continue to wish Ben a speedy recovery, we are fortunate to welcome Marvin to the team,” added Jeff Bal, Senior Manager of Lexus Motorsports. “He was able to join us for a test at Laguna Seca a few weeks ago and immediately fit right in with the team. With his experience, we know he is more than capable of helping Aaron and the 14 crew bring us another strong finish for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing.”
The #14 Lexus is still looking for its first top-ten finish in GTD PRO this year. Co-driver Telitz is currently tenth in the GTD PRO standings, but finished third in GTD during the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Feature image © Vasser Sullivan / Lexus Racing
