Jack Hawksworth converted a GTD Pro class pole into victory in the Sebring 12 Hours, but it wasn’t without drama. The Yorkshireman, sharing the Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 with fellow Brit Ben Barnicoat and IndyCar rising star Kyle Kirkwood, was penalised and sent to the rear of the field for inadvertently striking a crew member during his first pitstop.
Although the setback was significant, the trio was able to methodically march forward. And Hawksworth was handed the keys for the final stint to get some redemption, which he did by passing the Risi Competizione Ferrari of Daniel Serra with 20 minutes remaining with a stout inside move into Turn 1. He then held off the Brazilian to win by just 0.121 seconds.
The victory was the first for the team since Watkins Glen last July, and the second endurance racing victory for Lexus. For reigning GTD Pro champions Barnicoat and Hawksworth, the result was the 14th podium finish in 17 races dating back to Lime Rock Park in July 2022.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” said Hawksworth. “These long races, everyone has to do their job absolutely perfectly just to be there to have a chance at the end. Then you hope that the cards fall your way. We had a tough day. But we made good steps over the off-season. We wanted to come and show what we could do. This has been a proper bounce back.
“We obviously had the drive-through early in the race, a wobble there. Other than that, it was rock-solid all day. The guys on pitlane were unbelievable. Ben and Kyle were absolute monsters. The last four hours out there were absolutely nuts.”
The Iron Lynx Lamborghini of Franck Perera, Jordan Pepper and Mirko Bortolotti made it three manufacturers on the podium as nine of the 12 GTD Pro cars finished on the lead lap.
Winward Racing was nearly
