ASP Team, a French outfit with recent successes in GT World Challenge Europe, including two consecutive Endurance Cup titles and victory at the Spa 24 Hours in 2022, has made a significant switch for the 2024 season. Moving from Mercedes to the Toyota-owned Lexus brand, this transition was prompted by the World Endurance Championship’s adoption of GT3 cars for the first time.
With the WEC’s new LMGT3 class prioritizing manufacturers with existing Hypercar class presence, ASP’s move away from Mercedes became necessary. The team had already established a connection with Toyota through a French GT4 program featuring the GR Supra GT4 Evo, paving the way for the adoption of the Lexus RC F GT3, which had previously clinched the IMSA Sportscar Championship GTD Pro title.
However, the tight timeframe between the conclusion of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup season in late October and the freight deadlines for the first round of the 2024 WEC posed challenges. Support from Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), responsible for Toyota’s Hypercar program, and TRD US, supporting Vasser Sullivan Racing in IMSA, became crucial for ASP.
According to ASP Team owner Romain Policand, TGR provided invaluable assistance, with technical director David Floury collaborating closely to homologate the Lexus for FIA competition. This involved making necessary modifications to the car’s aero package, including adjustments to the splitter, front bumper, rear wing, and rear fender, requiring wind tunnel sessions to ensure compliance.
Moreover, TGR shared its expertise regarding the driveshaft-mounted torque sensors used to calculate energy consumption by LMGT3 cars, a critical aspect covered by the Balance of Performance. Eight support staff from TGR will be aiding ASP during the opening rounds to ensure seamless integration.
TRD US also played a role, with IMSA GTD Pro champion Jack Hawksworth providing insights during ASP’s initial test with the car at Portimao. Further assistance came during the second test at Barcelona, showcasing the collaborative effort between ASP and TRD US.
ASP’s driver lineup features experienced names familiar with TGR’s operation, including Jose Maria Lopez, Esteban Masson, and Takeshi Kimura. Additionally, Kelvin van der Linde, Timur Boguslavskiy, and Arnold Robin will form the lineup for the sister entry.
With the support received from Toyota and TRD US, ASP Team is gearing up for a successful transition as they embark on their WEC journey with Lexus, aiming for continued success in the competitive GT racing arena.
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