IMSA: Lexus GT3 closing in on first test

Toyota Racing Development's Andy Graves says the first GT3-spec Lexus RC F headed to IMSA's GT Daytona class is closing in on its first test. If everything goes according to plan the V8-powered car will debut in early June at the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in Detroit.

"Progress is going a little bit slower than hoped, but it's coming along," Graves told RACER. "We're getting ready to get some development done on the car and get some track tests under our belt before our debut. I know we're targeting Belle Isle in Detroit, so we hope to make that. Sometime in April we should get on track and get some miles in. That's the plan."

With multiple development houses inside Toyota's global network to consider, and Paul Gentilozzi's F Performance team as an option, TRD was ultimately chosen to lead the RC F IMSA development, and will integrate its efforts with the Michigan-based F Sport program.

"Our philosophy at TRD is we have a lot of resources in house, and no matter what series or program we're involved in, and we try to get totally integrated with our teams," said Graves, who serves as TRD's group vice president and technical director.

"That's exactly how we're approaching this program. Paul [Gentilozzi] and his people have been around a long time, they're a great team, and we're combining their experience with ours to develop a program that can compete with the best."

TRD and F Performance will utilize the 2015 version of the RC F this season, and plan to replace it with a newly-developed 2017 chassis next year.

"It's two totally separate development programs," Graves explained. "The 2017 car is an all new car. It's common knowledge the 2015 car hasn't lived up to the potential we'd hoped. Technocraft (Toyota) is building a new car in Japan for 2017, so we're looking forward to getting our hands on that once it's ready."