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Reigning champion Ben looked to be on for a strong result to sign off the season, before a technical issue brought an early end to the challenge.
Off the back of GTD success on the Long Beach streets, the championship remained in California, and Ben returned to the GTD Pro class. Initial pace for the familiar #14 fluro yellow and black Lexus RC F GT3 put him, and teammate Jack, at the sharp end of the field in the opening sessions. Jack took on qualifying, having been quickest in the final free practice session around the newly resurfaced 2.238-mile circuit. Jack claimed a second-row grid slot as the close battle at the front ended.
The 2 hour 40 minute race got underway beneath typically Californian blue skies, and Ben watched on as Jack held position from the start. An incident-free opening stint saw the field relatively unchanged before the pitstop window opened. As the leader pitted, the Vasser Sullivan team opted to stay out for an additional lap, gaining track position. With new tyres and fully fuelled, Jack stayed in for a second stint, before a Full Course Yellow period split the field, with several of the GTD Pro cars still owing a first stop.
With the order reset after the restart, the #14 moved into the podium positions once again as the second round of stops commenced. A decision to extend this middle stint saw the lead group take to the pitlane, while Ben waited eagerly to take over for the final run to the flag. The decision to run later than the rest of the field saw the #14 take the lead before Ben took over.
As he joined the circuit, Ben was immediately into traffic, running in P5. He was quickly up to speed, holding position over the opening laps of his stint. With the lead GTP battle unfolding in the final laps of the race, Ben was able to make negotiating traffic work to his advantage, and with five minutes remaining, he made a move at turn 4, following the leader through to climb back up to P4. From here, he then held station and brought the #14 home to score important championship points.
Summarising the Laguna Seca weekend, Ben explained:
“Today was just one of those days where we realised, early on, that we didn’t have the pace to win the race, and looked to rely more heavily on strategy. What can we do? What can’t we do? The overcut looked quite powerful in the first stop, which helped us move forward, but we dropped back to fourth as we didn’t quite have the pace. Then, we tried another overcut at the end in the last pit stop cycle, and we were undercut by a competitor and came out in fifth. I was able to make a move to pass the No. 3, but it was a tough race, and we gave it everything we had. I think we have to see a fourth-place finish as almost an internal win. It was the best we had and, on days when you’re not quite quick enough, you just have to do your best. I’m proud of everyone here for doing that.
“Everyone at Vasser Sullivan and Lexus optimised what we had today to score this result. Jack had a great run, kept the car clean and in one piece, as I did in my run. It is great to leave the weekend second in the driver’s standings, and really looking forward to being back out in Detroit.”
The championship stays in The result moves Ben and the #14 Vasser Sullivan entry up to P2 in the driver championship, heading back to a street circuit, as the championship takes on the Detroit Grand Prix weekend, 31 May-1June. for its next round, and Ben returns to GTD Pro action at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, 10-12 May, 2024.