Conway will co-drive alongside defending GTD Professional champions Ben Barnicoat, Jack Hawksworth, and IndyCar star Kyle Kirkwood within the group’s #14 Lexus RC F GT3. The mix of Barnicoat, Conway and Hawksworth teamed as much as end third within the 2023 version of the IMSA SportsCar Championship’s season-opening endurance traditional.
The 40-year-old Briton has pushed for Toyota Gazoo Racing within the World Endurance Championship (WEC) since 2015, claiming two titles over that span. He additionally has one victory (2021) and 4 runner-up leads to 10 begins within the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to being again with Vasser Sullivan within the Lexus once more for the Rolex 24,” Conway mentioned.
“Jack (Hawksworth) and Ben (Barnicoat) had a very strong 12 months, successful the championship, so it will likely be good to be again with these guys once more. I’m wanting ahead to having Kyle (Kirkwood) within the automotive with us as nicely. It will likely be good to have one other crack at Daytona. We got here up quick final 12 months, however hopefully we’ll have issues stronger for us. I can’t wait to get again on monitor in January on the Roar. Wanting ahead to working with everybody once more.”
Miyata, the reigning champion in Tremendous Method and Tremendous GT500, joins Parker Thompson, Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz within the group’s #12 Lexus RC F GT3, which can compete within the GTD class at Daytona. In 2024, the 24-year-old can be slated to compete in Method 2, the European Le Mans Sequence (LMP2 class), and would be the reserve driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing in WEC.
“First, I wish to say thanks to the Vasser Sullivan group, Lexus, TRD and Gazoo Racing for giving me this chance,” Miyata mentioned.
“The Rolex 24 At Daytona would be the first time I’ve competed internationally exterior of Japanese motorsports, so I’m very excited and searching ahead to working with the group.”
Lexus and Vasser Sullivan beforehand revealed Barnicoat and Hawksworth because the full-time GTD Professional drivers within the #14 entry, with Kirkwood signed on for the endurance rounds. Moreover, Thompson and Montecalvo are set as full-time lineup of the #12 entry, with Telitz collaborating within the endurance races.
“We’ve completed second and third on the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” mentioned Workforce Principals Jimmy Vasser and James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan.
“There’s just one place lacking. Coming off our first main championship for this system, our pursuit of successful the Rolex 24 has by no means been stronger, so it’s solely becoming we’ve two nice champions in Mike and Ritomo becoming a member of us.”
Jeff Bal, Senior Supervisor of Lexus Motorsports, mentioned: “Because the Lexus Racing program continues to develop, we’re lucky to work carefully with our international racing companions in Gazoo Racing. Alternatives like this permit us to raised share assets and apply learnings throughout a number of collection in a lot of our international racing efforts.
“Including championship-winning GR drivers Ritomo Miyata and Mike Conway to our Rolex 24 lineup provides Vasser Sullivan and Lexus two strong probabilities to win this prestigious endurance race. Coming off successful each Tremendous Method open wheel and SuperGT500 sportscar championships, we are able to’t wait to see what Ritomo can do within the RC F GT3. We additionally welcome Mike again for a second time within the No. 14 and we’re excited to have Kyle becoming a member of as nicely. Including Conway and Kirkwood to the GTD PRO championship-winning Lexus in addition to including Ritomo alongside Frankie, Parker and Aaron within the No. 12 Lexus provides each groups an excellent probability to contend for just a few Rolex watches come Sunday afternoon.”
