Full Transcript for Jack Hawksworth

00:03:04.845 it's kind of unique in that you obviously got the series, 82 00:03:04.855 --> 00:03:06.285 which is, you know, a highlight. 83 00:03:06.285 --> 00:03:08.245 Everybody wants to win that. But then really you've kind 84 00:03:08.245 --> 00:03:10.525 of got three bucket list races, start with Daytona, 85 00:03:10.635 --> 00:03:11.885 then Seing and then petite. 86 00:03:11.885 --> 00:03:15.205 And so the other races, you know, everybody wants 87 00:03:15.205 --> 00:03:16.485 to do well in the short races, 88 00:03:16.485 --> 00:03:18.405 but ultimately, you know, if you can win one 89 00:03:18.405 --> 00:03:20.405 of the big ones, then that's, you know, that's kind of what, 90 00:03:20.405 --> 00:03:20.965 that's what the 91 00:03:20.965 --> 00:03:22.485 manufacturers want and that's what the teams want. 92 00:03:22.545 --> 00:03:25.445 So, um, a lot of focus goes into those long races 93 00:03:25.445 --> 00:03:27.245 and then a lot of focus outside of 94 00:03:27.245 --> 00:03:29.605 that goes into almost being consistent 95 00:03:29.605 --> 00:03:30.605 through the shorter races 96 00:03:30.605 --> 00:03:32.645 to give yourself a, a shorter championship. 97 00:03:32.645 --> 00:03:35.285 But Daytona's probably the most unique race we do. 98 00:03:35.405 --> 00:03:37.245 'cause we have this official test the week before. 99 00:03:37.705 --> 00:03:39.765 So it's been notorious for everybody comes 100 00:03:39.765 --> 00:03:42.445 and does this three day test that the role before the 24. 101 00:03:42.905 --> 00:03:46.085 But then there's a, an opportunity for IMSA to make changes 102 00:03:46.305 --> 00:03:48.685 to the, you know, parameters of car. 103 00:03:48.685 --> 00:03:50.605 In terms of the, the way, um, 104 00:03:50.835 --> 00:03:52.245 last year it was like air restricted 105 00:03:52.245 --> 00:03:53.365 for naturally aspirated cars 106 00:03:53.505 --> 00:03:57.045 or, uh, turbo boost for, um, turbo cars. 107 00:03:57.305 --> 00:04:01.285 Um, so nobody ever wanted to be too shiny the weekend 108 00:04:01.285 --> 00:04:04.805 before the race, just in case, you know, IMSA made a change 109 00:04:04.825 --> 00:04:06.085 and they, they slowed you down, 110 00:04:06.145 --> 00:04:08.125 or if you were too slow they might bring you up. 111 00:04:08.125 --> 00:04:11.585 There's, I mean, some manufacturers I think played a game 112 00:04:12.225 --> 00:04:13.545 a little bit more than other ones. 113 00:04:13.725 --> 00:04:17.065 Um, but yeah, certainly there's some gamemanship 114 00:04:17.065 --> 00:04:20.465 that goes into being fast when you need 115 00:04:20.465 --> 00:04:22.025 to be fast is, is how I would describe it. 116 00:04:22.025 --> 00:04:24.705 Like you, you to, to win the series, you need 117 00:04:24.705 --> 00:04:25.825 to be consistent every weekend. 118 00:04:26.165 --> 00:04:29.755 Um, and you kind of, 119 00:04:29.755 --> 00:04:31.315 the saying goes when you've, 120 00:04:31.415 --> 00:04:33.275 and I guess it applies to any series, 121 00:04:33.295 --> 00:04:34.555 but if you've got a fast car 122 00:04:34.575 --> 00:04:36.115 and you're gonna show performance, 123 00:04:36.145 --> 00:04:37.595 then you better win that weekend. 124 00:04:37.815 --> 00:04:40.555 And then the wor the worst thing you can do is obviously 125 00:04:40.555 --> 00:04:43.435 show good performance and, and have a poor result. 126 00:04:43.435 --> 00:04:45.475 If that makes sense. Because BOP 127 00:04:45.475 --> 00:04:46.635 is ultimately based off yeah. 128 00:04:46.705 --> 00:04:48.515 Balance of, of the car's performance 129 00:04:49.175 --> 00:04:51.355 And it's, it's race to race, right? 130 00:04:51.455 --> 00:04:55.035 Or is it based on the last year's event at that track? 131 00:04:55.695 --> 00:04:57.915 Uh, so the rest of the season, Sebring through 132 00:04:57.915 --> 00:05:01.715 to petite is, is based off the seing through 133 00:05:01.715 --> 00:05:02.835 to petite races last year. 134 00:05:02.855 --> 00:05:05.235 But Daytona standalone just 'cause the nature of the track. 135 00:05:05.395 --> 00:05:06.875 'cause you've got the big long straits and stuff. 136 00:05:06.945 --> 00:05:10.655 Like the balance of performance for that track 137 00:05:11.335 --> 00:05:12.935 ultimately would need to be different to other ones as well, 138 00:05:12.935 --> 00:05:14.495 just 'cause the characteristics are so different. 139 00:05:14.495 --> 00:05:15.495 It's a bit like La Mon really. 140 00:05:15.675 --> 00:05:18.335 Um, so that BOP is, is standalone. 141 00:05:18.635 --> 00:05:21.815 Um, and, and I think as well just 142 00:05:21.935 --> 00:05:23.335 'cause the fact you have the test the week perform 143 00:05:23.335 --> 00:05:25.455 and stuff, it's always, I'd say a bigger talking point at 144 00:05:25.455 --> 00:05:27.215 that race than it is at any other one. 145 00:05:27.375 --> 00:05:29.295 But this year, this year's very different 146 00:05:29.295 --> 00:05:31.415 because they've just brought in that as, as James will know, 147 00:05:31.575 --> 00:05:33.375 'cause 'cause he's racing, uh, in the GT class 148 00:05:33.375 --> 00:05:34.215 that they just brought in 149 00:05:34.215 --> 00:05:35.495 torque sensors for all of the cars. 150 00:05:35.915 --> 00:05:38.015 Oh. So in the past it's been, uh, 151 00:05:38.935 --> 00:05:40.135 a bit more guesswork I guess, 152 00:05:40.135 --> 00:05:43.375 from IMS i's perspective in understanding, you know, 153 00:05:43.375 --> 00:05:45.655 the straight line speed of each car and the, the power 154 00:05:45.655 --> 00:05:46.695 and performance and whatnot. 155 00:05:46.695 --> 00:05:49.015 And this, this year they, uh, they're controlling the power, 156 00:05:49.155 --> 00:05:51.055 uh, a different way with these toque sensors 157 00:05:51.055 --> 00:05:54.535 so they can see exactly how much, uh, power we're putting 158 00:05:54.535 -->

00:05:56.015 to the ground during the race live. 159 00:05:56.275 --> 00:05:59.125 Um, so yeah, pressure will be on IMSA to, uh, 160 00:05:59.185 --> 00:06:01.365 see if they can make it, make it a competitive race. 161 00:06:01.835 --> 00:06:03.605 It's, yeah, it's gonna be fascinating, isn't it? 162 00:06:03.605 --> 00:06:06.245 Because so, so the, the phenomenon that you're, 163 00:06:06.245 --> 00:06:08.485 you're describing is if, if, you know, 164 00:06:08.485 --> 00:06:09.885 if you're listening at home, you've probably 165 00:06:09.885 --> 00:06:11.005 heard the term sandbagging, right? 166 00:06:11.005 --> 00:06:12.165 So that's what sandbagging is. 167 00:06:12.165 --> 00:06:14.565 You go to the roar, which if you're listening to this, 168 00:06:14.895 --> 00:06:16.685 we've just had it, we're recording it 169 00:06:16.685 --> 00:06:19.045 before, so none of us have been on track yet, 170 00:06:19.305 --> 00:06:20.445 but this will come out the Tuesday 171 00:06:20.445 --> 00:06:21.805 before the race, after the war. 172 00:06:21.905 --> 00:06:23.365 So in theory, Jack, you 173 00:06:23.365 --> 00:06:25.165 and I'll have been on track by the time people are hearing 174 00:06:25.165 --> 00:06:27.965 this, but yes, there is that gamesmanship. 175 00:06:27.965 --> 00:06:29.925 Like you say, you don't wanna show your hand too much 176 00:06:29.925 --> 00:06:32.405 because changes can be made to the BOP, the balance 177 00:06:32.405 --> 00:06:33.845 of performance before the race. 178 00:06:34.385 --> 00:06:36.365 But that's kinda where these torque sensors come in 179 00:06:36.365 --> 00:06:38.285 because I mean, you've probably, 180 00:06:38.285 --> 00:06:42.045 without giving away maybe any trade secrets from your own 181 00:06:42.045 --> 00:06:45.645 program , um, what are some of the clever ways 182 00:06:45.645 --> 00:06:48.365 that you've heard of from manufacturers 183 00:06:48.505 --> 00:06:50.885 and how they kind of sandbag 184 00:06:50.885 --> 00:06:53.805 and control their pace during the roar 185 00:06:53.905 --> 00:06:55.485 or practice sessions or whatever? 186 00:06:56.275 --> 00:06:58.085 Well, I mean, I don't wanna get myself in trouble here, 187 00:06:58.105 --> 00:06:59.685 so I'll, I'll, right, yeah, kind of, uh, 188 00:07:00.075 --> 00:07:01.165 What have you heard someone else do? 189 00:07:01.165 --> 00:07:03.085 What is BM BMW doing these days? You know, like, 190 00:07:03.555 --> 00:07:04.555 Well, there you go. 191 00:07:04.555 --> 00:07:05.805 I mean, that's a big one, right? So like you look at the 192 00:07:05.805 --> 00:07:07.725 race last year, uh, where Ferrari 193 00:07:07.725 --> 00:07:09.805 and BMW were actually penalized after the race. 194 00:07:10.025 --> 00:07:11.845 Um, they had all their championship, 195 00:07:12.475 --> 00:07:14.005 even though they were able to keep the race win, 196 00:07:14.045 --> 00:07:15.045 I think they were, uh, 197 00:07:15.635 -->

00:07:17.165 they had their manufacturer points 198 00:07:17.165 --> 00:07:18.205 deducted all this kind of stuff. 199 00:07:18.205 --> 00:07:21.845 And that was based on the fact that, um, during the, uh, so 200 00:07:23.225 --> 00:07:25.355 insa can see all of the micro splits around the track, 201 00:07:25.355 --> 00:07:26.915 there'd be like 12 different segments, right? 202 00:07:26.915 --> 00:07:29.275 So they can see, okay, exactly how fast each car is 203 00:07:29.275 --> 00:07:30.435 between each point of the circuit. 204 00:07:30.535 --> 00:07:32.555 The race teams can only see the three sectors 205 00:07:32.555 --> 00:07:33.595 during the race weekend, 206 00:07:33.655 --> 00:07:35.235 but they see a lot more than we can see. 207 00:07:35.735 --> 00:07:36.955 Um, and for instance, 208 00:07:36.955 --> 00:07:40.715 with like certain manufacturers not naming names are able 209 00:07:40.715 --> 00:07:43.075 to, or were before the toque sensors able 210 00:07:43.075 --> 00:07:44.075 to turn up their engines 211 00:07:44.075 --> 00:07:45.435 and turn down their engines quite a lot. 212 00:07:45.855 --> 00:07:48.675 So for instance, you know, you've been practiced at the roar 213 00:07:49.295 --> 00:07:52.115 and you might be quicker on the straight than, you know, 214 00:07:52.375 --> 00:07:54.595 say the, say the Ferrari or, or the BMW. 215 00:07:54.695 --> 00:07:56.555 And then you get through to the race weekend 216 00:07:56.575 --> 00:07:59.955 and suddenly that car, 10 ki kilometers an hour of whatever, 217 00:08:00.255 --> 00:08:02.995 you know, faster on the straight, it's accelerating harder. 218 00:08:02.995 --> 00:08:05.435 They've suddenly found, you know, one second a lap time. 219 00:08:05.535 --> 00:08:08.955 And a lot of it I think was done, uh, via the power plant 220 00:08:08.975 --> 00:08:10.275 and and manipulation there. 221 00:08:10.615 --> 00:08:13.155 The other thing that, uh, people would do is that, uh, 222 00:08:13.175 --> 00:08:15.235 you know, you could artificially run more wing in the car. 223 00:08:15.255 --> 00:08:17.995 You could artificially run drag your parts on the car. 224 00:08:18.065 --> 00:08:20.315 Same obviously you go to Indianapolis for the 500, right? 225 00:08:20.315 --> 00:08:22.195 You want the car to be as free as possible and, and, 226 00:08:22.195 --> 00:08:24.235 and you, you have all the best, best stuff on it. 227 00:08:25.055 --> 00:08:26.475 The counter to that is you can turn 228 00:08:26.475 --> 00:08:28.355 and put the row with all the worst stuff on the car 229 00:08:28.655 --> 00:08:30.035 and then get to the race 230 00:08:30.135 --> 00:08:32.555 and, you know, put, put all your free bits on free 231 00:08:32.555 --> 00:08:34.275 of bearings or Bryce, all that kind of stuff. 232 00:08:34.615 --> 00:08:36.075 So I think there's a little bit of that going on. 233 00:08:36.075 --> 00:08:38.075 And then, uh, the big one is obviously the 234 00:08:38.075 --> 00:08:39.435 driver can control a lot as well. 235 00:08:39.435 --> 00:08:41.635 It's very difficult when you look in the data. 236 00:08:42.215 --> 00:08:46.275 Um, I'd say a driver can tell actually more than an official 237 00:08:46.275 --> 00:08:47.875 or more than a, a tech person, right? 238 00:08:47.875 --> 00:08:49.675 Like when, when we look at an onboard video, 239 00:08:49.775 --> 00:08:50.915 we look at data, it's, 240 00:08:51.295 --> 00:08:53.395 we can see a little bit more if a driver's really pushing 241 00:08:53.495 --> 00:08:55.075 or not or if he's under the limit. 242 00:08:55.145 --> 00:08:57.445 But yeah, as a driver you can, you know, break, 243 00:08:57.535 --> 00:08:59.085 break a couple of meters earlier here, 244 00:08:59.155 --> 00:09:02.005 pick up the throttle a couple of meters later, um, you know, 245 00:09:02.005 --> 00:09:04.725 just roll two mile an hour, less speed 246 00:09:04.745 --> 00:09:06.445 to the apexes that happens and stuff. 247 00:09:06.445 --> 00:09:08.125 And yeah, you can, you can artificially 248 00:09:08.125 --> 00:09:09.285 manipulate it that way as well. 249 00:09:09.465 --> 00:09:12.325 Uh, you could run heavy with a, with old tires, 250 00:09:12.325 --> 00:09:13.885 there's 1,000,001 ways you can do it. 251 00:09:13.885 --> 00:09:15.085 You know, you can, you can make a 252 00:09:15.085 --> 00:09:16.845 car feel pretty bad if you want . Yeah. 253 00:09:17.145 --> 00:09:18.805 But like you say the, sorry. 254 00:09:19.195 --> 00:09:22.565 Yeah, I just, I think throughout all of that, you know, 255 00:09:22.585 --> 00:09:24.285 we, we complain about it. 256 00:09:24.385 --> 00:09:26.925 You talk about it, but it, it is amazing that at the end 257 00:09:26.925 --> 00:09:29.445 of the day, you know, of these endurance races, 258 00:09:29.445 --> 00:09:32.405 these 24 hour races, you're still coming down, you know, 259 00:09:32.465 --> 00:09:34.045 to the last hour, hour and a half. 260 00:09:34.205 --> 00:09:37.085 I know obviously yellows, you know, shape this up to be 261 00:09:37.085 --> 00:09:40.285 what it is, but across all classes most of the time, 262 00:09:40.505 --> 00:09:43.205 you know, you've got three or four cars fighting for the win 263 00:09:43.205 --> 00:09:45.725 and it's a, you know, it's a sprint race to the finish. 264 00:09:45.785 --> 00:09:48.485 So I think that as much as it's a challenge 265 00:09:48.665 --> 00:09:52.085 and frustrating, um, for, for teams in the moment, you know, 266 00:09:52.085 --> 00:09:53.405 especially when, you know, 267 00:09:53.405 --> 00:09:55.285 you do your homework in the off season, you come 268 00:09:55.285 --> 00:09:56.645 with a good program and a good package 269 00:09:56.745 --> 00:09:58.805 and, you know, sometimes you get penalized for that. 270 00:09:59.235 --> 00:10:01.645 Most of the time, you know, at the end of the race 271 00:10:02.305 --> 00:10:03.925 you're at least in

with a shot, right? 272 00:10:04.165 --> 00:10:05.805 Assuming nothing bad has happened over the 24 hours. 273 00:10:05.865 --> 00:10:09.365 So I think, you know, that's still what makes IMS a 274 00:10:09.825 --> 00:10:11.845 so unique to, you know, IndyCar racing. 275 00:10:11.945 --> 00:10:14.245 And, and we'll talk about the comparisons and, and, 276 00:10:14.505 --> 00:10:16.885 and differences in a second from your experience, 277 00:10:16.885 --> 00:10:19.525 but I just, it's amazing to me how much it's become, 278 00:10:19.985 --> 00:10:22.645 you know, this this 24 hour sprint race ultimately. 279 00:10:22.705 --> 00:10:23.805 Oh, it's, it's unbeliev. I mean, 280 00:10:23.905 --> 00:10:25.045 and this isn't a knocker, this is, 281 00:10:25.125 --> 00:10:26.965 I actually think they do a really good job of it, right? 282 00:10:26.965 --> 00:10:28.885 Like it swings roundabout sometimes you, 283 00:10:29.065 --> 00:10:30.285 you know, might be on the good side of it. 284 00:10:30.285 --> 00:10:31.605 Sometimes you might be on the bad side of it, 285 00:10:31.625 --> 00:10:34.725 but yeah, ultimately, like you say, how many times do we get 286 00:10:34.725 --> 00:10:36.085 to an end of the race and it's a, 287 00:10:36.085 --> 00:10:38.205 it's a Corvette against a BMW against a Ferrari, 288 00:10:38.205 --> 00:10:39.285 against a Lexus against the mc. 289 00:10:39.355 --> 00:10:41.125 Like everybody's close, right? 290 00:10:41.325 --> 00:10:43.085 'cause everybody's doing the, the same kind of stuff. 291 00:10:43.105 --> 00:10:46.525 So ultimately, um, it works itself out and, 292 00:10:46.525 --> 00:10:48.325 and yeah, like, I mean, you can't knock 'em right? 293 00:10:48.325 --> 00:10:50.565 Every, every, how many times have we seen like, 294 00:10:50.565 --> 00:10:52.525 like last five minutes of a race, you know? 295 00:10:52.525 --> 00:10:54.965 That's awesome. Elbows out and, and yeah, it's, it's close. 296 00:10:54.985 --> 00:10:57.125 So super competitive, not easy to do as well. 297 00:10:57.125 --> 00:10:59.485 You look at how different these cars are, you know, 298 00:10:59.505 --> 00:11:02.885 mid engine to a front engine, you know, you look at the COG 299 00:11:02.885 --> 00:11:05.685 of, you know, the, the McLaren or the Ferrari 300 00:11:05.685 --> 00:11:07.565 and then you look at the height of like the, you know, 301 00:11:07.565 --> 00:11:08.685 the Ford Mustang or something 302 00:11:08.685 --> 00:11:10.805 and you're trying to balance those cars. 303 00:11:11.105 --> 00:11:12.805 Um, not an easy job. No, 304 00:11:12.805 --> 00:11:13.805 No, for sure. 305 00:11:13.805 --> 00:11:15.925 And then like you say, the driver has a big part to play in 306 00:11:15.925 --> 00:11:18.925 that and even look all the, all the technical stuff 307 00:11:18.925 --> 00:11:20.685 that IMSA can look at, aside, as you say, 308 00:11:20.685 --> 00:11:22.965 the driver can still influence it quite a bit.

309 00:11:23.025 --> 00:11:25.245 And there are a lot of times in sports car racing 310 00:11:25.375 --> 00:11:28.045 where you don't have to drive flat out. 311 00:11:28.045 --> 00:11:32.005 You shouldn't drive flat out as someone that came from a 312 00:11:32.665 --> 00:11:35.365 sprint racing background, you came from open wheel, you had, 313 00:11:35.385 --> 00:11:37.045 was it, you were three years in IndyCar. 314 00:11:37.345 --> 00:11:38.965 Yep. Right? Where predominantly, 315 00:11:38.965 --> 00:11:41.165 unless you're saving fuel, it's qualifying 316 00:11:41.195 --> 00:11:42.205 laps all the time. 317 00:11:42.945 --> 00:11:45.445 How hard was it to when you make that switch over 318 00:11:45.445 --> 00:11:46.845 to sports cars to kind of switch 319 00:11:46.845 --> 00:11:48.245 that mentality and be like, no, no. 320 00:11:48.245 --> 00:11:51.445 There are times where I have to be so disciplined drive, 321 00:11:51.445 --> 00:11:54.685 whether it's to a lap time or to just like a mental limit. 322 00:11:54.965 --> 00:11:57.485 'cause I know that going too fast is actually 323 00:11:57.485 --> 00:11:58.525 detrimental. Oh, 324 00:11:58.785 --> 00:12:00.325 It was, it was super difficult. 325 00:12:00.385 --> 00:12:02.085 It challenge, it was . Yeah. 326 00:12:02.195 --> 00:12:03.845 Well, the other thing as well, right, is like, 327 00:12:04.655 --> 00:12:06.965 especially when you come into a team early on, right? 328 00:12:07.025 --> 00:12:08.205 You, every driver wants 329 00:12:08.205 --> 00:12:09.765 to show, you know, what they can do, right? 330 00:12:09.765 --> 00:12:12.325 There's the, there's the, the selfish part of it 331 00:12:12.325 --> 00:12:14.565 where you wanna show that you, you know, you can go as quick 332 00:12:14.565 --> 00:12:15.925 as the other guy in the car or you can 333 00:12:15.925 --> 00:12:16.965 go quicker or whatever. 334 00:12:16.985 --> 00:12:18.885 So there's a, there's a personal element to it as well 335 00:12:18.885 --> 00:12:20.445 where you wanna show, you know, 336 00:12:20.445 --> 00:12:21.645 you wanna show your speed, right? 337 00:12:21.645 --> 00:12:24.485 You're a racing driver. Um, so yeah, 338 00:12:24.485 --> 00:12:28.005 certainly I remember coming, coming out of IndyCar, going 339 00:12:28.005 --> 00:12:32.405 to Daytona, and uh, you know, my whole mentality I think in 340 00:12:32.405 --> 00:12:35.045 that race was, okay, I wanna be, you know, every stint needs 341 00:12:35.045 --> 00:12:37.325 to be, you know, on the limit 342 00:12:37.425 --> 00:12:39.285 and, you know, I wanna have the, you know, you know, 343 00:12:39.285 --> 00:12:40.885 fastest average pay, all that kind of, 344 00:12:40.885 --> 00:12:41.925 all the usual stuff, right? 345 00:12:41.925 --> 00:12:43.685 And then you realize exactly to your point James, 346 00:12:43.685 --> 00:12:45.485 that actually big pitch here. 347 00:12:45.485 --> 00:12:47.245 And I don't know what it

was like in the McLaren last year, 348 00:12:47.245 --> 00:12:50.485 but for us in the Lexus, I can tell you like, if we push 349 00:12:50.505 --> 00:12:53.525 for 23 hours, we get to the last hour of the race, 350 00:12:54.075 --> 00:12:56.085 there's the cars, there's nothing left of the car, right? 351 00:12:56.085 --> 00:12:57.405 Like you, the brakes are gone. 352 00:12:57.545 --> 00:12:58.685 You are, uh, you know, the, 353 00:12:58.865 --> 00:13:01.085 you might have lost a dive plane here or whatever. 354 00:13:01.085 --> 00:13:04.445 Like actually one of the biggest skills in endurance racing 355 00:13:05.225 --> 00:13:07.685 is, is getting to that last couple of hours 356 00:13:07.785 --> 00:13:09.925 and having, you know, all the bits on the car, 357 00:13:09.925 --> 00:13:11.565 having some breaks to go racing with. 358 00:13:11.565 --> 00:13:14.725 And like being able to really maximize 359 00:13:14.725 --> 00:13:15.805 what you have at the end of the race 360 00:13:15.805 --> 00:13:16.885 because you can, you know, all 361 00:13:16.885 --> 00:13:18.045 these cars start the race, right? 362 00:13:18.045 --> 00:13:19.645 And you might be two tenths slower than 363 00:13:19.955 --> 00:13:21.005 another manufacturer. 364 00:13:21.345 --> 00:13:23.525 Um, average pace when up when the 365 00:13:23.525 --> 00:13:24.565 cars are in great condition. 366 00:13:24.625 --> 00:13:26.845 But if you can get to hour 22, hour 23 367 00:13:26.845 --> 00:13:28.005 and they're carrying a little bit of damage 368 00:13:28.005 --> 00:13:29.485 or they've got a bit more wear on the brakes 369 00:13:29.485 --> 00:13:32.645 and your stuff's in perfect condition, then well, 370 00:13:32.645 --> 00:13:34.885 you leave your guy at the end who's closing the race with, 371 00:13:34.885 --> 00:13:35.965 with something to fight for. 372 00:13:36.025 --> 00:13:37.125 So, and something to fight with. 373 00:13:37.145 --> 00:13:40.365 So to show the first couple of years I was in, uh, um, 374 00:13:41.385 --> 00:13:44.645 sports cars, I definitely had the mentality of all in, uh, 375 00:13:44.745 --> 00:13:47.645 and then began to realize there's, oh, there's way more 376 00:13:47.865 --> 00:13:49.325 to, to this than that. 377 00:13:49.325 --> 00:13:52.765 And I need to adapt my mindset here, 378 00:13:52.765 --> 00:13:56.605 especially in these longer races, um, to yeah, be, 379 00:13:56.625 --> 00:13:59.205 be a little bit more MEChA mechanically sympathetic would be 380 00:13:59.205 --> 00:14:00.205 the, the word I'd use. 381 00:14:00.265 --> 00:14:02.525 So, but you, it is, it's like a switch though, right? 382 00:14:02.685 --> 00:14:04.565 Because there is that element of it where you need 383 00:14:04.565 --> 00:14:06.205 to protect the car, but then there's also the other element 384 00:14:06.305 --> 00:14:08.565 of it where you need to almost click your fingers 385 00:14:08.625 --> 00:14:10.285 and just go into kill more, be 10, 386 00:14:10.285 --> 00:14:11.285 10 again. 387 00:14:11.285 --> 00:14:12.005 Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. 388 00:14:12.025 --> 00:14:13.245 So it's, uh, it's an interesting, 389 00:14:13.605 --> 00:14:15.005 mentally it's an interesting challenge for sure. 390 00:14:15.515 --> 00:14:17.365 It's clearly something you picked up quick though, 391 00:14:17.365 --> 00:14:19.245 because I think, I think if you look at the 392 00:14:20.045 --> 00:14:21.725 American motorsport landscape, right? 393 00:14:22.065 --> 00:14:24.565 You've got, you've got three, three things 394 00:14:24.565 --> 00:14:26.405 that you would dream of doing as a kid. 395 00:14:26.675 --> 00:14:28.725 It's cup, it's IndyCar 396 00:14:28.825 --> 00:14:31.765 or it's, you know, a factory driver in sports cars, right? 397 00:14:31.785 --> 00:14:34.005 So to get to the level that you have achieved and, 398 00:14:34.065 --> 00:14:35.085 and have been with Lexus 399 00:14:35.185 --> 00:14:38.565 for nine years now in a factory program, um, you know, 400 00:14:38.565 --> 00:14:40.925 clearly you did something right in the beginning and, 401 00:14:40.945 --> 00:14:43.805 and you continue to, what do you think you know, 402 00:14:44.065 --> 00:14:46.085 is something that differentiates you? 403 00:14:46.905 --> 00:14:48.085 Um, you know, 404 00:14:48.085 --> 00:14:50.125 because there, there's a lot of drivers, right? 405 00:14:50.125 --> 00:14:52.805 In sports cars 'cause you're sharing the car, um, a minimum 406 00:14:52.905 --> 00:14:54.605 of two up to four sometimes. 407 00:14:54.605 --> 00:14:57.005 Like where do you think you've been able to find 408 00:14:57.555 --> 00:14:58.645 kind of this longevity? 409 00:14:58.825 --> 00:15:01.685 And was it, was it something that you thought 410 00:15:01.955 --> 00:15:03.485 that when you started this program, 411 00:15:03.745 --> 00:15:05.325 you were gonna be here almost a decade later? 412 00:15:05.385 --> 00:15:09.885 Or did you look at IMSA as maybe like a, uh, a gap here stop 413 00:15:10.185 --> 00:15:11.885 to, to get back to open wheel cars? 414 00:15:11.885 --> 00:15:13.285 Or like where was your mindset with that? 415 00:15:13.705 --> 00:15:15.245 Sounds like a job interview here. 416 00:15:15.265 --> 00:15:18.485 So what are your strengths, ? Who would you bring to the 417 00:15:18.485 --> 00:15:19.485 company? . . 418 00:15:20.515 --> 00:15:21.685 Yeah, that's a difficult one. 419 00:15:21.785 --> 00:15:24.885 Um, I mean, uh, I mean, I guess to answer the, 420 00:15:24.885 --> 00:15:28.125 the last question when I first came into ims, a full-time 421 00:15:28.125 --> 00:15:30.845 with Lexus, like what did I, how did I see it? 422 00:15:30.905 --> 00:15:34.565 Did I see myself here for 10 years? Uh, that's difficult. 423 00:15:34.605 --> 00:15:36.365 I don't, I have a, I dunno what you guys are like, 424 00:15:36.365 --> 00:15:37.805 but I have, uh, 425 00:15:38.245 -->

00:15:40.085 a problem looking too far, if that makes sense. 426 00:15:40.085 --> 00:15:41.285 Especially as I get older now. 427 00:15:41.285 --> 00:15:42.565 Like, I've just noticed in this sports, 428 00:15:42.565 --> 00:15:44.045 things can change so quickly, right? 429 00:15:44.145 --> 00:15:46.405 And you just never, it's difficult 430 00:15:46.405 --> 00:15:47.925 to have a, a long-term plan. 431 00:15:48.025 --> 00:15:49.845 So, uh, at the time I didn't know. 432 00:15:49.925 --> 00:15:52.005 I still obviously had just left IndyCar 433 00:15:52.185 --> 00:15:56.365 and, um, at the time, uh, I was probably a little bit, 434 00:15:56.465 --> 00:15:58.885 you know, my IndyCar career hadn't ended the way I'd hoped 435 00:15:58.905 --> 00:15:59.885 and there was probably a little bit 436 00:15:59.885 --> 00:16:00.765 of bitterness there and stuff. 437 00:16:00.785 --> 00:16:04.125 So I was excited to be out of that paddock in a way and, 438 00:16:04.125 --> 00:16:05.165 and have a new challenge. 439 00:16:05.265 --> 00:16:08.725 So I wouldn't say I looked at it as a stop gap, um, 440 00:16:09.865 --> 00:16:14.405 so much, but, um, as a, an opportunity to uh, you know, kind 441 00:16:14.405 --> 00:16:16.045 of do something else and hopefully win some races. 442 00:16:16.165 --> 00:16:18.365 'cause it had been a, it had been a tough couple of years 443 00:16:18.365 --> 00:16:19.725 where I'd not been doing any winning 444 00:16:20.145 --> 00:16:21.565 and I just wanted to get back to winning. 445 00:16:21.565 --> 00:16:23.965 Do you know what I mean? Like, I always think for me, like 446 00:16:23.965 --> 00:16:25.565 as a racing driver, that's the bit I enjoy. 447 00:16:25.645 --> 00:16:28.725 I enjoy the, the, the, you know, when you can win. 448 00:16:28.725 --> 00:16:31.445 And I feel like any driver who tells you, you know, oh, 449 00:16:31.445 --> 00:16:32.565 they just enjoy being at the track. 450 00:16:32.725 --> 00:16:34.325 I dunno. I just, that's not fun for me 451 00:16:34.325 --> 00:16:37.205 and I have to feel like I have a ch a chance to do well. 452 00:16:40.385 --> 00:16:44.645 Is it, in terms of like, what's, I guess kept me, you know, 453 00:16:44.815 --> 00:16:49.295 where I am and I guess being able to, yeah, 454 00:16:49.645 --> 00:16:51.415 stay with the same manufacturer a long period of time 455 00:16:51.415 --> 00:16:52.695 because I feel like we've grown together. 456 00:16:53.375 --> 00:16:54.455 'cause you look at the Lexus program, 457 00:16:54.485 --> 00:16:57.735 when we first came in in 20 17, 20 18, it was not, 458 00:16:57.835 --> 00:16:58.935 we were not very successful. 459 00:16:58.935 --> 00:17:00.855 Like we didn't stand on the podium in the 460 00:17:00.935 --> 00:17:02.495 GTD class for the first two years. 461 00:17:02.555 --> 00:17:06.295 And then, um, you know, we finally got my first winning, 462 00:17:06.725 --> 00:17:09.735 well second winning in so, but first win with Lexus in 2019. 463 00:17:10.515 --> 00:17:13.815 Um, and so I felt like I developed a lot 464 00:17:13.815 --> 00:17:15.695 as a driver throughout those years as I was kind 465 00:17:15.695 --> 00:17:17.415 of touching on before, initially I came in 466 00:17:17.415 --> 00:17:18.775 and it was just bolstered a wall. 467 00:17:19.255 --> 00:17:20.375 I wanna show my speed 468 00:17:20.475 --> 00:17:24.295 and then the program wasn't quite where it needed 469 00:17:24.295 --> 00:17:29.005 to be in order to win either, which meant that, uh, 470 00:17:29.285 --> 00:17:30.365 I had to develop other parts 471 00:17:30.365 --> 00:17:32.405 of my game whilst the team was developing. 472 00:17:32.585 --> 00:17:35.965 Uh, and then slowly we developed the team, I began to, uh, 473 00:17:36.195 --> 00:17:37.685 have an understanding of these races 474 00:17:37.685 --> 00:17:39.605 and I think I became a more of a complete driver. 475 00:17:39.705 --> 00:17:41.045 And I think now, you know, seven 476 00:17:41.045 --> 00:17:42.685 or eight years down the line, I just have a really, 477 00:17:43.845 --> 00:17:47.245 I think quite a high race IQ in terms of like, I understand, 478 00:17:47.425 --> 00:17:48.925 you know, how the races are gonna unfold 479 00:17:49.225 --> 00:17:51.845 and I have a good idea of what's important 480 00:17:51.905 --> 00:17:53.885 and maybe what's not so important in terms 481 00:17:53.885 --> 00:17:55.085 of trying to get these results. 482 00:17:55.225 --> 00:17:57.285 And uh, and I just have good relationship with the team 483 00:17:57.285 --> 00:17:58.765 so we've grown together, if that makes sense. 484 00:17:58.915 --> 00:18:00.285 Yeah, yeah. That's awesome. I've improved 485 00:18:00.285 --> 00:18:01.685 and then the team's improved at the same time. 486 00:18:02.545 --> 00:18:06.445 And, and that team is, it's a serious factory effort. 487 00:18:06.605 --> 00:18:08.445 I mean, you, you know, everyone's gotta remember that 488 00:18:09.095 --> 00:18:10.685 Lexus is Toyota, right? 489 00:18:10.785 --> 00:18:14.125 So you, you guys are part of the, the TRD program 490 00:18:14.625 --> 00:18:18.005 and again, I don't know many manufacturers, 491 00:18:18.005 --> 00:18:20.085 certainly not in North America that spend 492 00:18:20.305 --> 00:18:22.285 and prepare the way that Toyota do. 493 00:18:22.305 --> 00:18:24.365 The facilities that you guys have available to you. 494 00:18:24.985 --> 00:18:28.165 Um, you know, obviously I know Townsend Bell very well. 495 00:18:28.355 --> 00:18:30.605 He's actually literally calling myself one at this very 496 00:18:30.605 --> 00:18:32.165 minute, sorry, Townsend , um, . 497 00:18:33.145 --> 00:18:35.965 But he's, you know, he's told me about the, the facilities 498 00:18:35.965 --> 00:18:37.845 that you have, whether it's the, the training, 499 00:18:37.985 --> 00:18:40.565 the simulator, I mean everything at the TRD campus 500 00:18:40.635

--> 00:18:42.365 that you guys have access to. 501 00:18:42.925 --> 00:18:46.005 I mean, this is a fully fledged factory effort. 502 00:18:46.745 --> 00:18:49.805 And I, I I just wondering if you can explain for everyone 503 00:18:50.465 --> 00:18:52.445 how much preparation goes into, 504 00:18:52.725 --> 00:18:54.565 'cause I, I kind of look at, you know, you sort 505 00:18:54.565 --> 00:18:56.165 of mentioned it, there's your, your championship, 506 00:18:56.165 --> 00:18:58.005 which everybody wants, that's the same across all motor 507 00:18:58.005 --> 00:19:00.445 sports, and there's a racer two that everybody wants, 508 00:19:00.445 --> 00:19:01.445 which I think is the same. 509 00:19:01.865 --> 00:19:04.245 The Indy car equivalent obviously is the 500 510 00:19:04.915 --> 00:19:07.885 Daytona is the 500, you know, 511 00:19:07.885 --> 00:19:10.405 how much effort goes into a Daytona 500 entry? 512 00:19:11.465 --> 00:19:15.245 Is it that same kind of feeling for preparing for the 24? 513 00:19:15.265 --> 00:19:18.125 Is it that much more energy, that much more effort, 514 00:19:18.125 --> 00:19:20.565 that much more focus that goes into it when you're 515 00:19:21.165 --> 00:19:22.165 starting the season off 516 00:19:22.165 --> 00:19:23.605 with the biggest race of the year? Yeah, 517 00:19:23.645 --> 00:19:24.645 I, I would say so. 518 00:19:24.725 --> 00:19:26.645 I mean, um, yeah, you're right. We're very lucky. 519 00:19:26.755 --> 00:19:29.445 Like as at Toyota, we do have a lot of great facilities, 520 00:19:29.445 --> 00:19:31.325 especially down here in Charlotte, the simulator, 521 00:19:31.505 --> 00:19:33.645 the shaker rig, all kinds of bits 522 00:19:33.645 --> 00:19:36.085 and bulbs, which a lot of other Manu manufacturers 523 00:19:36.085 --> 00:19:37.125 and teams don't have access to. 524 00:19:37.185 --> 00:19:38.725 So that's, yeah, pretty cool. 525 00:19:38.785 --> 00:19:40.445 The training facility, I was actually training 526 00:19:40.445 --> 00:19:41.925 with the Townend yesterday there. 527 00:19:42.185 --> 00:19:43.445 Uh, so it's funny you bring that up 528 00:19:43.745 --> 00:19:45.245 and he's the only person who's ever walked. 529 00:19:45.245 --> 00:19:47.405 So they have a strict, like you can't train with, uh, 530 00:19:47.435 --> 00:19:48.765 with your top off in there. 531 00:19:49.065 --> 00:19:51.845 And obviously t be walks in there first thing taps off 532 00:19:51.955 --> 00:19:53.365 like, yeah, it's pretty funny. 533 00:19:53.585 --> 00:19:56.565 So, so California used to surfing, so, so much sense. 534 00:19:56.715 --> 00:19:58.325 Yeah, Malibu Barbie is, 535 00:19:58.325 --> 00:19:59.685 we call was in there just 536 00:19:59.685 --> 00:20:01.245 with his shirt off. Yeah, I believe it. Yeah, 537 00:20:01.765 --> 00:20:02.845 I get a guy kudos though. 538 00:20:02.845 --> 00:20:05.845 He is like 49 and he's absolutely, he's shedding still. So 539 00:20:05.995 --> 00:20:06.995 yeah, , 540 00:20:07.165 --> 00:20:08.765 I tell him, I was like, you're in better shape than one. 541 00:20:08.765 --> 00:20:13.325 You were racing . Um, so, uh, yeah, no, I mean for, 542 00:20:13.345 --> 00:20:15.645 for Daytona specifically, getting back to that, yes it is, 543 00:20:15.665 --> 00:20:16.725 it feels like there's a lot 544 00:20:16.725 --> 00:20:18.085 of prep goes into it very similar 545 00:20:18.145 --> 00:20:21.005 to I guess the mindset when you build up to the 500, right? 546 00:20:21.005 --> 00:20:22.165 Like, you know, that's the big one. 547 00:20:22.165 --> 00:20:25.605 You can win the Daytona, you can win the 24 hours a Daytona, 548 00:20:25.665 --> 00:20:28.445 and it's almost like the rest of the season, you know, 549 00:20:28.465 --> 00:20:29.605 you can, you can have have 550 00:20:29.605 --> 00:20:31.405 A, you're not have cruise control, but you feel, you know, 551 00:20:31.405 --> 00:20:32.525 you're gonna feel good at the end of the year. 552 00:20:32.715 --> 00:20:34.205 Exactly. You've got it in the bag, right. 553 00:20:34.225 --> 00:20:35.405 No matter what happens from there. 554 00:20:35.425 --> 00:20:37.005 You, you've had a successful year. 555 00:20:37.025 --> 00:20:38.685 So definitely a lot of work goes into it. 556 00:20:38.685 --> 00:20:40.485 And then I just think it's just a marathon, right? 557 00:20:40.485 --> 00:20:41.885 Like we have this test next week, 558 00:20:41.905 --> 00:20:43.365 so then there's the buildup to that test 559 00:20:43.385 --> 00:20:45.085 and you do the test and then you staying there. 560 00:20:45.545 --> 00:20:47.420 It reminds me a lot of the five, 500, 561 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:49.325 like I always felt the 500 just, 562 00:20:49.465 --> 00:20:50.965 it dragged on for so long, right? 563 00:20:50.965 --> 00:20:53.885 There's so much buildup to it and Daytona's kind of similar. 564 00:20:53.945 --> 00:20:55.205 So it feels like there's a lot of effort 565 00:20:55.265 --> 00:20:58.965 and it's kind of, I feel like, uh, as a driver being able to 566 00:20:59.705 --> 00:21:01.325 not get too excited about it 567 00:21:01.325 --> 00:21:02.685 and be quite, you know, 568 00:21:02.715 --> 00:21:05.045 levelheaded from the beginning is, is important. Yeah. 569 00:21:05.795 --> 00:21:08.005 It's, it's, you know, one, one race out 570 00:21:08.005 --> 00:21:09.205 of a 10 race championship. 571 00:21:09.345 --> 00:21:11.965 But I, I think I read somewhere one year that between the, 572 00:21:11.965 --> 00:21:15.085 the Roar and the race, it's like one third of the miles run 573 00:21:15.085 --> 00:21:17.445 of the entire season are done at Daytona. 574 00:21:17.665 --> 00:21:20.765 So like, it's very heavily biased towards it as, 575 00:21:20.765 --> 00:21:22.405 as a driver, you know, 576 00:21:22.405 --> 00:21:24.965 we love asking drivers this in IndyCar as a driver, 577 00:21:25.375 --> 00:21:28.645

would you rather win Daytona or a championship? 578 00:21:29.745 --> 00:21:31.085 And I know it's a little skewed 579 00:21:31.085 --> 00:21:32.285 because you've won a championship. 580 00:21:32.285 --> 00:21:34.085 Yeah. And so I'm sure Daytona seems like it's so, 581 00:21:34.185 --> 00:21:35.645 but like let's say you had won neither 582 00:21:35.705 --> 00:21:36.765 or you had one of each, 583 00:21:37.225 --> 00:21:38.405 you know, what would you rather have? 584 00:21:38.915 --> 00:21:40.205 I'll always say championship. 585 00:21:40.225 --> 00:21:42.645 And that was always like, when anyone's ever asked me that, 586 00:21:42.645 --> 00:21:46.245 like, I would always, it'd be awesome to win Daytona, 587 00:21:46.265 --> 00:21:49.085 but I just think a championship is so hard earned. 588 00:21:49.395 --> 00:21:51.485 Like it's, it's such a slog, right? 589 00:21:51.485 --> 00:21:53.845 Like from January through to October or 590 00:21:54.165 --> 00:21:56.765 whenever in IndyCar march through to October, 591 00:21:56.795 --> 00:21:59.845 like you've gotta be, you've gotta be the best guy over, 592 00:22:00.385 --> 00:22:02.805 you know, the best team over, you know, 10 month period. 593 00:22:02.905 --> 00:22:05.965 So I, yeah, I'd love to win a Rolex 'cause I don't have one, 594 00:22:06.065 --> 00:22:09.525 but, um, I, uh, I would, I think in terms of 595 00:22:09.525 --> 00:22:12.285 what means the most, I think the championship in my opinion 596 00:22:12.285 --> 00:22:14.445 carries just a little bit more value. 597 00:22:14.865 --> 00:22:16.885 Um, just 'cause it's so hard earned. 598 00:22:16.885 --> 00:22:19.245 Like you, you, you can get to the end of Daytona 599 00:22:19.265 --> 00:22:20.925 and I always kind of say like, 600 00:22:20.925 --> 00:22:22.205 you're just putting yourself in the lottery 601 00:22:22.205 --> 00:22:23.405 ticket at the end, you know what I mean? 602 00:22:23.545 --> 00:22:26.325 To shoot out hopefully, uh, that a championship, 603 00:22:26.345 --> 00:22:27.485 you, you, yeah. 604 00:22:27.485 --> 00:22:28.885 It's just like every weekend you've gotta 605 00:22:28.885 --> 00:22:30.125 be relentlessly consistent. 606 00:22:30.225 --> 00:22:31.685 So I think that that's very hard to do. 607 00:22:31.985 --> 00:22:33.245 That's fair. That's totally fair. 608 00:22:33.425 --> 00:22:35.725 So for, let's talk about the rest of the season now. 609 00:22:35.725 --> 00:22:37.565 We've talked a lot about Daytona, which makes sense. 610 00:22:37.565 --> 00:22:41.445 It's coming up. Um, you a little bit of a switch for you. 611 00:22:41.905 --> 00:22:44.205 Um, you've been running in the GTD Pro class 612 00:22:44.505 --> 00:22:46.405 and you're gonna be moving to the GTD class. 613 00:22:46.505 --> 00:22:49.045 Why don't you kinda just explain for everyone what that, 614 00:22:49.115 --> 00:22:50.445 what that change means? 615 00:22:51.435 --> 00:22:54.525 Yeah, so that, uh, effectively we've always run two cars 616 00:22:54.525 --> 00:22:56.205 at VA Sullivan, the 12 and the 14. 617 00:22:56.205 --> 00:22:59.165 Initially both cars ran in GTD, then the inception 618 00:22:59.185 --> 00:23:00.285 of the GTD Pro car. 619 00:23:00.505 --> 00:23:03.245 Um, we, we were able to have one car in one class, 620 00:23:03.545 --> 00:23:04.565 uh, one car in the other. 621 00:23:04.625 --> 00:23:08.125 And uh, yeah, this year I'll be, uh, moving to the 12 car. 622 00:23:08.355 --> 00:23:10.045 I've raced in the 14 car for the last, 623 00:23:10.205 --> 00:23:11.245 I think six, seven years. 624 00:23:11.345 --> 00:23:12.725 So it's a bit of a change for me. 625 00:23:12.725 --> 00:23:14.085 It's new personnel, 626 00:23:14.085 --> 00:23:16.405 it's a new teammate in Pa Thompson, another Canadian. 627 00:23:17.025 --> 00:23:19.325 Um, and I'm super excited about it. 628 00:23:19.325 --> 00:23:22.005 Like, I think for us as a, as a team, it's, 629 00:23:22.305 --> 00:23:24.325 it basically spreads our bets a little bit more. 630 00:23:24.465 --> 00:23:26.645 So we have a, I think we have, uh, 631 00:23:27.035 --> 00:23:29.205 more opportunity across both championships 632 00:23:29.205 --> 00:23:30.325 than perhaps we've had in the past. 633 00:23:30.625 --> 00:23:34.325 Um, and then for me, I felt I needed a, 634 00:23:34.325 --> 00:23:37.045 something fresh is kind of how I would describe it. 635 00:23:37.045 --> 00:23:40.525 Like, I had a great time working with that side 636 00:23:40.525 --> 00:23:42.965 of the garage and a lot of, I mean, the engineer 637 00:23:43.105 --> 00:23:44.165 who I worked with on that side 638 00:23:44.165 --> 00:23:46.525 of the garage was Jeff Ficklin is the same guy I was working 639 00:23:46.525 --> 00:23:48.125 with in Star Mazda in 2012. 640 00:23:48.305 --> 00:23:50.685 So like, wow. I've been working with him for, you know, 641 00:23:50.685 --> 00:23:52.085 12 years basically on and off. 642 00:23:52.105 --> 00:23:54.885 And, uh, so I have such good relationships 643 00:23:54.885 --> 00:23:56.285 with everybody on that side of the garage. 644 00:23:56.305 --> 00:23:57.765 But I got to, for me personally, 645 00:23:57.845 --> 00:24:00.605 I just really fancied something different. 646 00:24:00.665 --> 00:24:01.965 You know, I felt like we'd had, 647 00:24:01.995 --> 00:24:03.285 it'd been the same driver line up, 648 00:24:03.405 --> 00:24:04.965 it'd been the same crew, same engineering. 649 00:24:05.085 --> 00:24:07.205 I just, for me to keep growing as a driver, 650 00:24:07.445 --> 00:24:08.965 I felt like I needed something 651 00:24:09.395 --> 00:24:10.565 just a little bit different, you know? 652 00:24:10.565 --> 00:24:12.405 And I felt this was exciting to me and, 653 00:24:12.405 --> 00:24:14.925 and it made sense for the team and we went ahead with it. 654 00:24:15.225 --> 00:24:17.045 So even though it's the exact same team, 655 00:24:17.545

--> 00:24:20.765 do you feel like it's it's a new, it's a, 656 00:24:20.765 --> 00:24:23.965 it's a new opportunity, like as if you're a first day 657 00:24:23.965 --> 00:24:25.485 of school type thing, even though it's the 658 00:24:25.485 --> 00:24:26.965 same organization? 659 00:24:27.635 --> 00:24:28.885 Yeah, completely. To be honest, 660 00:24:29.035 --> 00:24:30.405 it's like everything that's interesting. 661 00:24:30.405 --> 00:24:32.005 Wow. Yeah, it's nice. It'd be a bit, I mean, I, 662 00:24:32.085 --> 00:24:35.365 I guess it'd be a bit like, um, you know, if you are in, uh, 663 00:24:35.385 --> 00:24:37.365 in IndyCar and you had a three or four car team, right? 664 00:24:37.425 --> 00:24:39.445 And you did a complete swap, right? 665 00:24:39.465 --> 00:24:41.685 And now you are with different engineer, different assistant 666 00:24:42.565 --> 00:24:45.085 engineer, different, uh, you know, crew, chief mechanics, 667 00:24:45.115 --> 00:24:46.325 yeah, crew chief, everything. 668 00:24:46.385 --> 00:24:48.485 So for me, I just felt like, uh, yeah, I'm, 669 00:24:48.485 --> 00:24:49.885 I'm super excited about that. 670 00:24:49.885 --> 00:24:51.645 Like, that's great. I mean, as a team it's, 671 00:24:52.205 --> 00:24:53.325 I feel like we have a really strong team 672 00:24:53.325 --> 00:24:54.325 as a whole across the board. 673 00:24:54.825 --> 00:24:58.225 Um, but yeah, I feel like this year it's, we we're, 674 00:24:58.225 --> 00:25:00.665 we're set up really nicely to have a go at both series. 675 00:25:00.925 --> 00:25:04.385 Um, and it's just given me like a new, 676 00:25:05.095 --> 00:25:07.825 like I feel more butterflies than I did last year just 677 00:25:07.825 --> 00:25:09.265 because at the start of last year, 678 00:25:09.515 --> 00:25:11.825 everything was such a, a known quantity, right? 679 00:25:11.825 --> 00:25:14.305 Okay. I, I know how my communication 680 00:25:14.335 --> 00:25:15.345 with this guy's gonna be. 681 00:25:15.465 --> 00:25:16.905 I know how I need to work with this guy. 682 00:25:16.905 --> 00:25:20.945 And it was all so like, easy almost in terms, you know, 683 00:25:20.945 --> 00:25:23.185 it was too, it was too easy in a way where you just kind of, 684 00:25:23.185 --> 00:25:24.545 you, it's very, I dunno what you guys are like, 685 00:25:24.545 --> 00:25:26.385 but for me, like I can get into a rhythm with something 686 00:25:26.385 --> 00:25:28.665 and it just doesn't become monotonous, 687 00:25:28.685 --> 00:25:30.505 but you don't feel like you're challenging yourself. 688 00:25:30.605 --> 00:25:33.425 Whilst now I feel like, okay, I've gotta learn new people, 689 00:25:33.525 --> 00:25:36.225 new characteristics, it's a different situation. 690 00:25:36.885 --> 00:25:38.865 Um, different kind of pressure. 691 00:25:39.015 --> 00:25:40.425 Like, so I just, yeah, 692 00:25:40.425 --> 00:25:41.865 I feel rejuvenated by it, to be honest. 693 00:25:42.325 --> 00:25:45.145 Has it been the same car since, since the inception? 694 00:25:45.695 --> 00:25:47.705 Exactly. Yeah. Same car as well. So 695 00:25:47.705 --> 00:25:49.345 Yeah, that probably leads into it as well, right? 696 00:25:49.345 --> 00:25:51.425 Because it's, it's like there's only so much that you can do 697 00:25:51.885 --> 00:25:53.145 and develop, right? 698 00:25:53.215 --> 00:25:55.265 With the same package that you've had for a decade. 699 00:25:55.695 --> 00:25:56.785 Exactly. Same package. 700 00:25:56.885 --> 00:25:58.585 And then we've had pretty much the same tire now, 701 00:25:58.585 --> 00:25:59.825 I think it's the second year with this tire, 702 00:25:59.825 --> 00:26:02.105 but we're on Michelin's for the last six or seven years. 703 00:26:02.205 --> 00:26:03.465 So not always changed there. 704 00:26:03.465 --> 00:26:05.305 And that, honestly, if I'm being honest, the, the 705 00:26:06.195 --> 00:26:07.705 can't talk too much about the future, 706 00:26:07.925 --> 00:26:10.905 but there's some exciting stuff in the near future for Lexus 707 00:26:11.015 --> 00:26:14.545 with, with the GT program, but it's a known fact, right? 708 00:26:14.545 --> 00:26:16.905 That we are racing the oldest, you know, 709 00:26:16.905 --> 00:26:19.065 homologated cow on the grid right now. So you've 710 00:26:19.065 --> 00:26:20.945 Got the, the DW 12 of GT three 711 00:26:20.945 --> 00:26:22.105 cars , correct? 712 00:26:22.465 --> 00:26:23.745 W with the old Arrow 713 00:26:23.765 --> 00:26:24.765 Kit. 714 00:26:24.765 --> 00:26:26.585 I can empathize. Yeah, yeah. . So, uh, 715 00:26:27.175 --> 00:26:28.745 Yeah, yeah, exactly. 716 00:26:28.775 --> 00:26:31.105 It's, it's based, it's quite similar in a way. 717 00:26:31.105 --> 00:26:33.825 And, uh, so also we're at a 718 00:26:33.825 --> 00:26:35.105 disadvantage in some ways, right? 719 00:26:35.345 --> 00:26:37.425 Compared to some of these newer manufacturers who have, uh, 720 00:26:37.855 --> 00:26:39.385 some, some, uh, you know, 721 00:26:39.385 --> 00:26:40.705 newer equipment and stuff like that. 722 00:26:40.765 --> 00:26:44.205 So I think having strong cars across both G-T-D-G-T-D PRO 723 00:26:44.535 --> 00:26:47.085 gives us a good shot of both series. So, 724 00:26:47.265 --> 00:26:48.765 And, and the, the difference really 725 00:26:48.765 --> 00:26:52.245 between the two classes is GTD PRO is an all pro driver 726 00:26:52.385 --> 00:26:56.525 lineup where GTD you have to have an an am quote unquote. 727 00:26:57.025 --> 00:27:00.245 Um, so your, so your argument to Im SA is 728 00:27:00.245 --> 00:27:02.845 that Parker Thompson is an am Is 729 00:27:02.845 --> 00:27:04.165 that, is that what I'm hearing? 730 00:27:04.165 --> 00:27:06.965 Because I mean, I've seen that kid wheel, I don't know 731 00:27:06.985 --> 00:27:08.085 how that's possible. 732 00:27:08.545 --> 00:27:09.925 And if I was a betting man, 733

00:27:09.945 --> 00:27:11.565 I'd be putting money on the 12th car 734 00:27:11.905 --> 00:27:13.525 to win the GTD championship 735 00:27:13.895 --> 00:27:15.045 today. I'm willing, because that's a, 736 00:27:15.465 --> 00:27:17.405 I'm willing to throw my ad in the ring if 737 00:27:17.405 --> 00:27:18.445 you guys need a different Am 738 00:27:19.925 --> 00:27:20.925 We we're good. 739 00:27:20.925 --> 00:27:21.985 I think, I think he's gonna be alright. 740 00:27:21.985 --> 00:27:23.665 Yeah, I think he'd be good. No, I mean, uh, 741 00:27:24.215 --> 00:27:25.425 it's the way the rules are written, right? 742 00:27:25.425 --> 00:27:28.145 Like you have a, each driver's given a, you know, a, 743 00:27:28.265 --> 00:27:30.905 a ranking by the FIA and, and Parker is a silver, 744 00:27:31.045 --> 00:27:34.425 but if you look at the GTD championship, really 745 00:27:34.695 --> 00:27:37.345 that silver driver is extremely important. 746 00:27:37.415 --> 00:27:39.585 Like if you look at the guys who've won it over the last few 747 00:27:39.585 --> 00:27:40.785 years, you look at when it was van th 748 00:27:40.785 --> 00:27:42.465 and Robeson, you look at when it was sellers 749 00:27:42.465 --> 00:27:44.065 and snow, the, 750 00:27:44.165 --> 00:27:47.065 the silver guy is always has to be exceptional, right? 751 00:27:47.085 --> 00:27:49.545 And de Angelis when he won it, they're not, these guys are, 752 00:27:49.645 --> 00:27:51.745 you know, a, a, a proper, right? 753 00:27:51.745 --> 00:27:53.345 So it's, uh, you know, bronze is kind of, 754 00:27:53.525 --> 00:27:55.585 if there was a bronze mandate, then it would be different. 755 00:27:55.585 --> 00:27:57.665 But with the silver mandate, it means it's, you know, 756 00:27:57.665 --> 00:27:59.465 like a, a young open and comer. 757 00:27:59.485 --> 00:28:00.665 And that's what we've got. 758 00:28:00.685 --> 00:28:03.385 The young, the Canadian cruise missile. Young, young Open, 759 00:28:03.565 --> 00:28:06.065 My guy, guy, my guy, the new pt. Yeah. 760 00:28:06.175 --> 00:28:08.945 Yeah. I love, but just to touch on PT though, he's, uh, 761 00:28:08.945 --> 00:28:10.145 yeah, I'm, I'm really excited 762 00:28:10.145 --> 00:28:11.305 about that as well, like working with him. 763 00:28:11.335 --> 00:28:13.225 He's, uh, he's super quick 764 00:28:13.285 --> 00:28:16.705 and, uh, like he's, he's, he's young 765 00:28:16.805 --> 00:28:18.825 and that's gonna keep me on my tours. 766 00:28:18.825 --> 00:28:20.145 Do you know what I mean? Like, working with him 767 00:28:20.145 --> 00:28:21.465 and he's super motivated. 768 00:28:21.585 --> 00:28:23.225 I, I know you guys know each other a little bit, 769 00:28:23.245 --> 00:28:25.505 but really, uh, yeah, professional 770 00:28:25.605 --> 00:28:27.945 and, uh, does kind of, does does the work. 771 00:28:28.085 --> 00:28:29.465 So I'm, I'm really excited about that. 772 00:28:29.465 --> 00:28:30.825 Like

I say, we've got killer, killer Silver, 773 00:28:30.885 --> 00:28:31.945 so I'm, yeah. Yeah. 774 00:28:32.415 --> 00:28:34.585 Well, like, I'm, I'm a big Parker Thompson fan. 775 00:28:34.725 --> 00:28:36.065 I'm a big Jack Hawksworth fan. 776 00:28:36.245 --> 00:28:37.785 Uh, I'm super impressed with the, 777 00:28:37.805 --> 00:28:39.185 the program that you guys run at Alexis. 778 00:28:39.375 --> 00:28:40.745 It's always been, you know, one, 779 00:28:40.745 --> 00:28:42.065 you keep an eye out every time we show 780 00:28:42.065 --> 00:28:43.105 up to the track at imsa. 781 00:28:43.325 --> 00:28:45.065 So Jack, thank you so much for coming on. 782 00:28:45.085 --> 00:28:49.545 We wish you all the best for the 2025 Rolex 24, uh, 783 00:28:49.545 --> 00:28:51.105 and the entire IMSA season. 784 00:28:51.325 --> 00:28:53.385 Uh, like I said, if I was a betting man, uh, 785 00:28:53.385 --> 00:28:54.745 you guys are looking pretty, uh, 786 00:28:54.925 --> 00:28:57.665 season se early season favorites, I'd say for, 787 00:28:57.725 --> 00:28:58.865 uh, for a good title run. 788 00:28:59.005 --> 00:29:01.345 So thanks for coming along and, uh, and best of luck. 789 00:29:01.735 --> 00:29:03.185 Yeah, cheers, mate. And I'll see you, 790 00:29:03.185 --> 00:29:04.305 uh, see you at Daytona. 791 00:29:04.365 --> 00:29:06.385 You in, uh, Lamborghini this year, right? Yeah, 792 00:29:06.385 --> 00:29:07.385 Yeah. 793 00:29:07.385 --> 00:29:08.065 We've swapped over to the Lambo 794 00:29:08.485 --> 00:29:12.105 and, uh, the plaid is back, so you won't, you won't miss us. 795 00:29:13.005 --> 00:29:14.825 And uh, yeah, it should be fun. 796 00:29:14.885 --> 00:29:16.625 But again, we're, so we're in the, you know, 797 00:29:16.635 --> 00:29:19.065 we're in slightly different classes, so we, you 798 00:29:19.065 --> 00:29:20.745 and I can get along on track. It's fine. 799 00:29:20.775 --> 00:29:22.905 Yeah, we are you Teammates though? 14. 800 00:29:23.815 --> 00:29:25.665 I'll let him know. , what's 801 00:29:25.665 --> 00:29:28.145 The, uh, how's the, have you tested the Lambo yet, uh, 802 00:29:29.605 --> 00:29:30.605 As we're recording? 803 00:29:30.685 --> 00:29:32.865 No, by the time this is aired, yes, but, okay. 804 00:29:32.865 --> 00:29:35.665 It was a bit of a late swap, so, uh, I've been on, 805 00:29:35.685 --> 00:29:37.825 on I racing quite a bit, trying to get up to speed. 806 00:29:38.235 --> 00:29:40.225 There you go. Nice. I mean, exact sounds good. 807 00:29:40.225 --> 00:29:42.445 Anyway, so I've always, always wanted to, uh, the sound 808 00:29:42.445 --> 00:29:43.525 of it, the thing sounds better. 809 00:29:43.875 --> 00:29:45.045 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hopefully it 810 00:29:45.045 --> 00:29:46.205 goes as good as it sounds, right? 811 00:29:46.475 --> 00:29:49.365 Yeah. Yeah. And, and a are you racing Daytona Alexander? 812 00:29:49.985 --> 00:29:53.005 I'm not. Um, I'm gonna be in Hawaii, but, uh, . Oh, there 813 00:29:53.005 --> 00:29:53.845 You go. Fun. That 814 00:29:54.015 --> 00:29:55.015 Might be better. 815 00:29:55.015 --> 00:29:56.125 Enjoy, enjoy. Let's go to 816 00:29:56.245 --> 00:29:57.245 Maui for a week. 817 00:29:57.245 --> 00:29:57.965 I feel like we might actually 818 00:29:57.965 --> 00:29:59.165 be on the short end of the stick. 819 00:29:59.315 --> 00:30:01.965 Yeah. I mean, I'll watch. Maybe, probably not, but yeah, 820 00:30:02.105 --> 00:30:03.105 You won't watch. 821 00:30:03.105 --> 00:30:05.285 He's already got his Rolex, so he's, he's good man. 822 00:30:05.285 --> 00:30:06.405 He's gonna go sit on a beach. Good 823 00:30:06.405 --> 00:30:07.405 To go. 824 00:30:07.405 --> 00:30:07.915 Yeah. . 825 00:30:08.355 --> 00:30:11.005 Yeah. As buddy as you said. Um, thanks for coming on, man. 826 00:30:11.005 --> 00:30:13.205 We appreciate it. Good luck and, uh, we'll see you soon. 827 00:30:13.595 --> 00:30:14.805 Yeah. Cheers, fellas. Awesome. 828 00:30:16.355 --> 00:30:18.445 This has been off track with Hinch and Rossi. 829 00:30:18.625 --> 00:30:21.805 Off Track is part of the SiriusXM Sports Podcast Network. 830 00:30:22.225 --> 00:30:23.365 If you enjoyed this episode 831 00:30:23.385 --> 00:30:25.605 and want to hear more, please give a five star 832 00:30:25.605 --> 00:30:26.645 rating and leave a review. 833 00:30:27.245 --> 00:30:29.445 Subscribe today, wherever you stream your podcasts. 834 00:30:29.625 --> 00:30:32.285 We are at Ask Offtrack on Twitter and Instagram. 835 00:30:32.465 --> 00:30:35.125 And if you wanna follow us on Twitter, we're at Hinch Town 836 00:30:35.125 --> 00:30:36.525 and at Alexander Rossi. 837 00:30:36.905 --> 00:30:38.365 If you wanna follow them, though, 838 00:30:38.385 --> 00:30:40.045 we have no idea why you would. 839 00:30:40.475 --> 00:30:42.765 He's at the Tim Durham on Twitter. 840 00:30:43.315 --> 00:30:45.285 Find us on YouTube and subscribe to our channel 841 00:30:45.345 --> 00:30:46.525 for exclusive video content. 842 00:30:47.025 --> 00:30:49.965 Off Track is produced by Tim Durham, and by that we mean fi.