Free practice: Performance and consistency
The three free practice sessions allowed the crews to adjust to the track and adapt to its specific challenges. The two Lexus RC F LMGT3s showed strong performance around the 5.513 km layout, which features a fast first sector before a 1.2km long straight and then slow, twisty sections.
Laying down a steady pace, the #78 established itself towards the top of the standings. It showed potential with sixth, fifth and 13th place finishes respectively in the three sessions, the latter coming on a wet track.
The #87 was equally consistent and finished 10th in the opening two sessions before Clemens Schmid demonstrated his mastery of the changing conditions in third practice. In light rain, he set the second fastest LMGT3 time of 2mins 6.220secs.
Qualifying and Hyperpole: A battle royale
Qualifying took place on a wet track, but all competitors opted for hard tyres and the lap times improved with each lap, constantly shaking up the order. Petru Umbrarescu (#87) delivered a rapid performance, setting the second fastest time of the session, but his joy was short-lived. He took the chequered flag twice, which is prohibited by the rules and, as a result, the #87 had its lap times cancelled. It was therefore removed from Hyperpole and relegated to the back of the grid.
In the #78, Arnold Robin had a scare shortly before the chequered flag when he spun after being surprised by a late-braking rival ahead. But, against the odds, the Frenchman bounced back and charged to fifth in LMGT3 to earn a place in Hyperpole.
Finn Gerhsitz took the wheel of the #78, the only Lexus taking part in the pole position shoot-out. In another ultra-competitive session, hampered by light rain, the German set a lap of 2mins 9.727secs to earn seventh on the starting grid.
Race: Rain and safety-cars
One day follows another, but they are not necessarily alike in Texas. Indeed, after the stifling heat of earlier in the week, heavy rain fell before the start of the race. This highly technical track is even more difficult in the wet, which renders the kerbs and white lines particularly slippery. Therefore, for safety reasons, including poor visibility, the race started behind the safety car.
In the #78, Arnold Robin lined up sixth in the LMGT3 class while Clemens Schmid started from the back in the #87. Petru Umbrarescu (#87), a Bronze driver, had his qualifying times cancelled, so the fastest driver in free practice, Clemens Schmid, had to take the start. The Romanian took the wheel 15 minutes later.
While the #78 was firmly established in the top six, the #87 had to return to the pits once again due to an inability to activate its headlights, which is a mandatory requirement in wet conditions. The huge amount of water on track had damaged the electrical connections and the whole front bodywork had to be replaced. That cost precious time and, by the time the car returned to the track, it was five laps down and hopes of a competitive result had all but vanished.
After an hour under the safety car and a mix-up when it came to changing safety cars, the red flags flew. All competitors stopped on the pit straight until, 40 minutes later, the field came to life again, still behind the safety car. Finally, the cars were unleashed, and the race was underway. Arnold Robin, still at the wheel of the #78, was running in the top 10.
In tricky conditions, there were a series of incidents, as well as further safety car periods. Finn Gehrsitz (#78) and Clemens Schmid (#87) then took over their respective cars.
The rain intensified at the halfway point. The two Lexus RC F LMGT3s were posting excellent lap times and Finn Gehrsitz was running 11th, while Clemens Schmid was still at the rear, five laps behind.
Lap times improved in both categories, but conditions remained difficult. With two hours to go, the PRO drivers took the wheel. Ben Barnicoat replaced Finn Gehrsitz in the #78 shortly before another safety car period.
The restart, 1 hour and 45 minutes from the end, was eventful but the action was short-lived, as ten minutes later Clemens Schmid lost control of the #87, which ended up in the barrier. The damage made retirement unavoidable.
At the same time, the #78 car, which had been running in the top 10, received a 15-second stop-and-go penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
The conditions gradually improved and the rain finally stopped with 80 minutes remaining. After serving its penalty, the #78 was 15th and Ben Barnicoat was demonstrating impressive pace. Despite that, he could not fight his way back into the points during the final hour and finished 14th. After a resounding victory in São Paulo followed by this disappointing race in Austin, the Akkodis ASP Team remains motivated and determined for the next round.
The seventh round of the season will take teams to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, at Fuji Speedway on 26-28 September. Lexus will be racing on home turf, and the team will give its all to shine in front of the home fans.