It's not often that luxury->ke505 automakers tackle motorsports with factory-built race cars,->ke148 but it seems more and more brands are joining the fun. Lexus->ke47 was the latest company to announce such intentions at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show,->ke228 where it unveiled the RC F GT3. As the name suggests, this RC F->ke4714 coupe was built to FIA GT3 specifications for privateers to use in various competitions such as the Blancpain Endurance and Sprint Series. The RC F GT3 is Lexus' first such project since it shelved the GTE program for the discontinued LFA,->ke2181 and it seems the Japanese are ready to launch a full-scale attack in the VLN series in 2015.

According to Sportscar365, the RC F GT3 will make its European debut later this year, with Farnbacher Racing and Emil Frey Racing as development partners. Driven by Dominik and Mario Farnbacher, making it the first the Farnbacher brother race together in the same car, the first RC F GT3 will debut in the third round of the 2015 VLN season on June 20th, at the Nurburgring->ke999 track. The second car, run by Emile Frey Racing, will see Lorenz Frey, Markus Oestreich, and Jordan Tresson taking turns behind the wheel.

"Lexus sees the Nurburgring as a perfect testing ground to make the car ready for 2016, which they see as their target year to sell to customers. We plan to do a lot of testing since the car is still under development,” Dominik Farnbacher told Sportscar365.

Continue reading to learn more about the Lexus RC F GT3.

Why it matters

Obviously not yet ready to go on sale as a GT3-spec car, the RC F will get its first taste of European racing action->ke447 with two very experienced teams. Farnbacher's experience and success in the ADAC GT Masters series, as well as the numerous laps the two teams will put on the "Green Hell" will most definitely help Lexus tune the car for a full endurance season. The big news here is that Lexus also plans to join the Pirelli World Challenge with a North American factory team in 2016. Of course, with stiff competition from Porsche,->ke1 Aston Martin,->ke13 Chevrolet,->ke199 Cadillac,->ke18 Bentley->ke15 and Lamborghini,->ke44 only time will tell if the RC F GT3 will become a successful race car.

Lexus RC F GT3

Read more about the Lexus RC F GT3 here.