The French outfit has gained every of the final two GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup titles with Mercedes, in addition to claiming victory on the Spa 24 Hours in 2022, however has switched to Toyota-owned Lexus model for 2024 in a transfer triggered by the WEC’s transfer to undertake GT3 automobiles for the primary time.
It was made clear that the brand new LMGT3 class that replaces GTE Am would prioritise producers with an current presence within the Hypercar class, which meant a Mercedes entry was unlikely to be admitted.
ASP already had a Toyota model affiliation through a French GT4 programme with its GR Supra GT4 Evo that started final yr, which made its swap to run the Lexus RC F GT3 that gained final yr’s IMSA Sportscar Championship GTD Professional title a logical extension.
However ASP staff principal Policand says the time constraints between the tip of the GTWCE Dash Cup season in late October and freight deadlines for the primary spherical of the 2024 WEC in Qatar – with the pre-event Prologue on 24-25 February one week earlier than – meant help from the TGR operation that runs Toyota’s Hypercar programme and the TRD US operation that helps Vasser Sullivan Racing in IMSA was essential.
“It’s nice to work with these folks and with out the help of everybody, we aren’t utterly prepared for the primary race,” he instructed Motorsport.com.
“It helps lots as a result of on the finish we now have roughly two and a half months to make every thing occur since Zandvoort, the final race in Dash with Mercedes, till we now have to load the container to Qatar.
“So for positive we wanted help from everybody.”
Akkodis ASP, Lexus RC F GT3
Picture by: AKKA-ASP
Policand defined that TGR has assisted ASP at numerous junctures in latest months, appearing technical director David Floury working carefully with the staff to homologate the Lexus for FIA competitors.
“First what we did with the help of Toyota was the brand new homologation of the Lexus, as a result of the automotive should be modified when it comes to aero package deal to be allowed to the championship,” he stated.
“It was a small change, like splitter, entrance bumper, part of the rear wing, the rear fender. However for positive we wanted some wind tunnel periods to ensure that every thing was within the window.”
TGR has additionally shared its understanding of the driveshaft-mounted torque sensors that will probably be used to calculate power consumption by LMGT3 automobiles in every stint, a mechanism lined by the Steadiness of Efficiency that can be current in Hypercar, which Policand described as “a totally new state of affairs” for his staff.
“We don’t have the data to do it, so grateful for the help of Toyota as a result of in any other case it might have been very troublesome,” he stated.
TGR will present ASP with eight help workers for the opening rounds, Policand says, “to make the system work”.
ASP additionally obtained help from TRD, with reigning IMSA GTD Professional champion Jack Hawksworth attending the staff’s first take a look at with the automotive at Portimao to share his experience.
“It is smart to have a driver which is aware of completely the automotive and that was very helpful,” Policand added.
“And on the second take a look at at Barcelona, we now have assist additionally from TRD US, which is near Vasser Sullivan.”
ASP’s driving line-up additionally options appreciable expertise of TGR’s operation, with 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Jose Maria Lopez transferring from Toyota’s Hypercar roster to associate 2021 French F4 champion Esteban Masson and GTE Am class common Takeshi Kimura.
Two-time Nurburgring 24 Hours winner Kelvin van der Linde, ASP staff common Timur Boguslavskiy and Le Mans Cup GT3 champion Arnold Robin will share the sister entry.
