While Honda is aiming for an overall win at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with its ARX-04b LMP2 endurance racer, Lexus will compete in the Time Attack class with the all-new RC F GT Concept.
Based on the production Lexus RC F Coupe, the new race car builds upon the legacy of the IS F CCS-R vehicles that last competed at Pikes Peak in 2013. According to the automaker, the RC F GT Concept represents “a pivotal piece” of the Lexus F brand motorsports effort, along with the forthcoming global GT3 program.
Lexus says the new GT Concept program will allow engineers to experiment with prototype components, tuning ideas, settings, and software development, much like IS F CCS-R vehicles helped develop key components such as the engine and transmission for the 2015 RC F road car.
Using a high level of composite materials, the RC F GT Concept weighs about 800 kg (3,130 lbs) less than the street version, while retaining the same engine and transmission as the production RC F. However, the powertrain is adjusted for racing.
The new Lexus will be driven at Pikes Peak by FIA GT world champion, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and automotive media personality Justin Bell. “With very little time behind the wheel, the RC F GT Concept has already proven fast and easy to drive, very much like the production models, actually. We expect the race car will only pick up pace as we engage more testing, tuning, and data acquisition on the mountain”, the driver said.
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