GR GT3 Set for Rolex 24 Debut in 2027 as Lexus Racing Rebrands

Photo: Toyota

The recently unveiled GR GT3 is set to make its North American debut in next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona according to Lexus Racing and Gazoo Racing North American director of motorsport Jeff Bal.

The all-new GT3 car, officially unveiled late last year, will race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship under the Gazoo Racing nameplate, as part of a company restructuring that will see all sports cars, except for Toyota’s FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar program, under the GR brand beginning next year.

“Right now our plans are to introduce the GT in other series later this year, possibly, if all goes well,” Bal told Sportscar365. “Then we plan to run it here next year.

When asked when the GR GT3 would make its North American debut, Bal reaffirmed Daytona is the “current plan.”

“We haven’t officially announced it yet but we’re leaning towards Rolex 24 in 2027,” he said.

Bal confirmed that Vasser Sullivan Racing, will contest a full season with the Lexus RC F GT3 before the transfer in both brand and car for the 2027 season.

It will mean a departure for Lexus as a brand from sports car racing competition.

“Following what our leadership announced in October and the world premiere in December, the GR brand is becoming a brand itself,” said Bal.

“It’s the highest level performance anywhere coming from Toyota Motor Corporation.

“You saw it at the Tokyo Auto Salon two weeks ago that GT3, GT4 and all of our sports cars will compete as GR products.”

In addition to the WEC Hypercar program, Bal said that Toyota’s NASCAR program will also remain under the Toyota Racing banner.

“As we go through this year we’re not going to do a massive change to all of our existing teams, with equipment and rebranding,” he said.

“We’ll run as Lexus Racing this year. The Supras and GR Cup will all run as Toyota Gazoo Racing for the remainder of this year.

“Next year, we’ll show up as Gazoo Racing.”

Bal, who will be responsible for GR’s sports car racing operations in North America, said he’s excited for the new chapter.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “We’ve got some of the most talented engineers and individuals that are associated with the GR product.

“It’s a passion project, certainly for Akio, but everyone involved with it, us included.

“For a long time we’ve been getting asked questions and we couldn’t talk about it because we’re still trying to firm up all of the details and plans.

“We’re really excited. Getting the car revealed in December was a tremendous step forward. I think it was more of a big-bang effect for putting focus on GR and letting us tell that story for the existing models and cars beyond the GT that we’ve got in mind.”

Next year’s WeatherTech Championship season opener is not expected to be the GR GT3’s first race, with several outings in Japan believed to be in the works later this year.

Bal said they’re not ready to confirm whether GR will have a factory team in the WeatherTech Championship next year, although Sportscar365 understands that Vasser Sullivan is likely to continue its long-term partnership with Toyota.

Source: Sports Car 365