Parker Thompson and Ben Barnicoat race a Lexus RC F GT3/GTD car for Vasser/Sullivan in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. We caught up with Thompson twice during the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. We first talked to him immediately after his pole position press conference and then with him and his teammate right after their post-race victory press conference. The two were certainly happy and proud of their accomplishments winning on the biggest stage of the sprint races during the year. It’s interesting to hear about how they describe the team dynamic and the key to victory. Enjoy!
NOTE: The IMSA Roar Before the 24 test, and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona are coming up on January 17-19 and January 22-26, 2025.
By Larry Mason
Copyright © 2024 Larry Mason
Two happy co-drivers (Parker Thompson (M) and Ben Barnicoat (R) explain to Larry Mason (L) how they won the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in a Lexus IMSA GTD car.
Photo by Brad Bernstein
Parker Thompson poses with his Motul Pole Award winning flag just outside of the media center press conference room in Long Beach.
Just after getting out of the Lexus that he shares with Parker Thompson, Ben Barnicoat immediately starts looking at the “mission control” monitors with a radio in his hand to communicate with him as needed.
Now without helmet, but still watching the monitors in front of him, Barnicoat still has communication with his teammate via the radio system.
Easy to spot anywhere on track, the fluorescent yellow/green and black Lexus GTD (GT3) car is shown here in Turn 10.
With their teammates in the number 12 car flanking them on the front row just prior to taking the green flag, Lexus was feeling good in front of a bunch of Ferraris, Mercedes, BMW and other marques as the navigate their way through Turn 10.
Right on the apex of the fountain turn, the Lexus of Thompson and Barnicoat had a dream race at Long Beach.
Just a wee bit more curb going through the fountain is what’s taking place here as you can see the body at a steeper angle as workers and photographers look on.
Ben Barnicoat is rocketing down Shoreline Drive in his resplendent Lexus on his way to victory.
This is the only view the competition got as the Vasser Sullivan Sealmaster Lexus showed it’s rear wing and diffuser to all who tried to win but fell short.
Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason (unless otherwise noted)