Emil Frey Racing: Lamborghini instead of Lexus
BRAND CHANGE Emil Frey Racing is forced to change brands for 2019. Instead of Jaguar and Lexus, two new Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo will be used. We explain the reasons. Emil Frey Racing did its job very well in 2018. So well, in fact, that once the RC F GT3 was homologated, Lexus in Japan no longer had any reason to develop [...]
Emil Frey Racing did its job very well in 2018. So well, in fact, that Lexus in Japan no longer sees any reason for further development once the RC F GT3 has been homologated. And the homologation for the Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar, which is no longer homologated, has expired anyway. So what's next?
It was good for team boss Lorenz Frey-Hilti and his Safenwil team that Lamborghini approached him in the winter and inquired about the possibility of a partnership. The new Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo, which recently won the class at the 24 Hours of Daytona with Grasser Racing, is to be further developed with the help of a second team. And that's what Emil Frey Racing specializes in.
France business justifies the brand change
In Switzerland, a different importer is responsible for the Italian brand. However, since Emil Frey sells Volkswagen and Audi in France, this new sporty partnership with the sports division of the brand, which belongs to the Volkswagen Group, can be justified.
Lorenz Frey-Hiltl: "Emil Frey Racing is a service provider, not a purely operational team. Our new infrastructure and personnel are designed so that we want to do development work. Lamborghini is our chance to continue doing this. It's an exciting project. We can bring in all our experience. At Lamborghini, motorsport is the DNA, so we are looking forward to this new big challenge."
GT Open instead of Blancpain GT Series
As it looks at the moment, two new Lambos will arrive in Safenwil in about two weeks to be prepared for racing in the International GT Open. Organized by Spaniards, this continental championship is a less expensive alternative to the Blancpain GT Series.
In 2017, Emil Frey Racing took four race wins in the GT Open with the Lexus RC F GT3 and came within a whisker of the title. No less is now the goal in 2019 with Lamborghini.
Question mark behind Lexus
It is unclear what will happen next with the Lexus program.
Lorenz Frey-Hilti: "One car belongs to us, one car to the Japanese. We are in talks with them. We certainly won't do another full season."
