What New Car will Lexus Race?

The Lexus RC-F has raced in IMSA’s GTD class since 2019. But the Lexus RC road car will not live past its 2025 model year. How Long will the RC-F race? And what will Lexus race next?

Lexus joined Vasser Sullivan Racing to enter the RC-F into GTD competition with IMSA in 2019 and never left. It’s proved a mutually beneficial relationship. Lexus gained racing credibility, pitted against the German and American mainstay’s like BMW, Corvette, and Porsche. And Vasser Sullivan won the class championship in 2023.

But Lexus already announced that the RC road car will not live past its 2025 model year. That means the RC-F race car already takes the green flag on borrowed time. I spoke with the Director of Lexus Motorsport, Jeff Bal, at the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix to get a sense of where Lexus plans to head in the future. It proved a fascinating conversation (see below).

LEXUS Racing

Traditionally, Lexus built a solid reputation of quite, reliable, comfortable autos to peacefully transport folks from one destination to the next. But with little excitement on the journey. As time past, the Japanese premium brand got a bit tired of that particular trope. It started building the F sub-brand, then the LFA supercar, and then started road racing.

In fact, Lexus started racing the RC-F in 2016 with a partnership with Paul Gentilozzi. After a few years, the same car moved over the Vasser Sullivan and started campaigning with them in IMSA. That same car continues to race to this day.

The front of the Lexus RC-F race car in action at the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix. Image courtesy of Lexus.

Lexus RC-F

The Lexus RC started life as a 2015 model year coupe with the 5.0-liter V-8 powered RC-F arriving at the same time. As V-8’s go, I drove it in the LC500 convertible and Loved it. While the RC and RC-F received updates over time, it retained its original chassis for its entire production run.

Technically, Lexus still builds the RC now, but promised in a recent statement that the car will not survive past the 2025 model year. And that means racing the GTD version of it in IMSA makes little sense.

The rear of the Lexus RC-F race car at the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix. Image courtesy of Lexus.

Lexus Racing Future

I got the chance to speak with Bal at the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix and broached that very subject. While he kept details mum, Bal strongly hinted that something new will arrive soon.

“We’re in development now of another car that may come along side at some point, we’re planning for it,” Bal said. In other words, it appears Lexus remains eager to continue racing past the RC-F’s lifespan. And that’s good.

But Bal also emphasized that he hopes to race the RC-F as long as possible, reminding me, “RC-F is still in production, we have another calendar year.”

But sooner or later, the RC will go and Lexus needs to continue.

Both Lexus RC-F race cars in action at the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix. Image courtesy of Lexus.

The Value of Racing

Beyond the rigorous and strenuous test that racing—especially endurance racing—brings, consistently staying in motorsport proves powerful in developing a brand’s identity. Everyone associates Porsche as a racing brand. And every vehicle built, from the Cayenne SUV, to the 911 GT3 RS sports car benefits from that connection. It elevates the owner’s perception of the driving experience.

Lexus built a solid foundation with the RC-F GTD and Vasser Sullivan. But to really cement its place as a true premium performance brand, it needs to keep going and continue racing a new something, anything beyond the RC’s life. I don’t care if it’s a race car version of the Lexus LX.

Build it. Race it. And I’ll route for it.

The front 3/4 of the Lexus RC-F race car in action at the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix. Image courtesy of Lexus.