Lexus Engineering a Winner as RC Coupe Completes the Nürburgring 24 Hours

A Lexus RC coupe has passed one of the toughest challenges in international motorsport, the Nürburgring 24 Hours. A near-standard version of the car completed the endurance race at the weekend free from mechanical issues to provide solid proof of the built-in quality and durability of Lexus engineering.

Entered by Toyota Gazoo Racing in their 11^th annual participation in the race at the legendary German circuit, the RC was driven by a quartet of Japanese drivers, Takuto Iguchi, Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo, and Hisashi Yabuki. A best qualifying lap of nine minutes 2.157 seconds secured 52^nd place on the grid of more than 150 cars.

The race was flagged away at 3.30pm on Saturday and the team enjoyed six hours of trouble-free running before contact with another car damaged the RC’s bodywork. Speedy work in the pits kept time lost to a minimum and the Lexus continued without any major technical problems, challenging rival Subaru and Audi entries for position in the race’s SPT3 class.

Matsui took the wheel for the final stint, bringing the RC home in second place in its category, close behind the winning Audi TT, and a highly creditable 25^th overall. The team were able to celebrate a great result and racing redemption for the RC, which had been forced into early retirement in last year’s race.

The team’s participation provided a focus for both Lexus’s development of ever-better cars and for the nurturing of the personal skills and effective teamwork of Lexus and Toyota engineers who were selected to form the support crew for the event.

Shigeki Tomoyama, Toyota Gazoo Racing President, said: “More than the finishing position, I am delighted that we successfully completed the whole 24-hour race. This is thanks to the individual efforts of our drivers, mechanics, engineers and support staff who were all united with a single purpose. I am also sincerely grateful for the ongoing support of our suppliers, partner companies, and our many fans.

“Our efforts to make ever-better cars and develop our people to achieve this are never-ending. As part of these efforts, we hope to continue to take on the challenge of the Nürburgring in the future.”