Heistand joins Hawksworth at AVS Lexus

Porsche Supercup racer Richard Heistand will complete the full-time roster for the AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 team. The Florida native is set to join Lexus veteran Jack Hawksworth in the No. 14 entry.

The previously-announced duo of Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo have been assigned to the No. 12 RC F GT3, which bears the number used by co-owner and 1996 CART IndyCar champion Jimmy Vasser throughout the majority of his career.

Richard Heistand

“We are excited to complete our full season line-up for AVS,” said principal and team engineer Ian Willis. “Richard joins us after a successful return to racing this past year in Europe, where he held his own against top amateur and professional drivers in the highly competitive Porsche Supercup series.”

For Heistand, AVS represents his biggest opportunity to date by adding his name to IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona lineup.

“I’m really excited to share driving duties with Jack and benefit from the diverse and successful racing experience at AVS,” he said. “A proven car in the Lexus RC F GT3, a proven team and a super-fast and winning teammate make for an exciting season and I can’t wait to get going with our Championship challenge in 2019.”

The final piece of the major confirmations for AVS is its Michelin Endurance Cup drivers. The North Carolina-based outfit is known to be talking with open-wheel and sports car talent as it finalizes the group that will make its public debut on January 4 at the Roar Before The 24 in Daytona test.