ALTON, Virginia - Accomplished veteran sportscar driver Bill Auberlen paced the field in the second combined Pirelli GT4 America Sprint/SprintX practice of the day at VIRginia International Raceway. The 60-minute session was held under overcast 80-degree Fahrenheit conditions.
Early on, SprintX driver Nick Wittmer in the #28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 posted a 1:55.516 to top the charts, followed by fellow series driver and ST Racing teammate Jon Miller in the #38 machine with a 1:55.689. Sprint competitor Spencer Pumpelly in the #66 TRG Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 slotted into third with a 1:55.863.
Stephen Cameron Racing's Gregory Liefooghe in the #19 BMW M4 GT4 then moved up into second with a 1:55.574. Wittmer then improved his time to a 1:55.051, while Jan Heylen in the #37 RS1 Porsche Cayman CS MR slotted into second with a 1:55.355. Liefooghe a lap later moved back into second with a 1:55.315.
At the 20-minute mark of the session, Wittmer continued to improve his hold on the top spot posting a 1:54.875, while Liefooghe posted a 1:55.088.
Three-time SRO Motorsports America Driver's Champion Michael Cooper in the #10 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren 570S GT4 then moved up into third with a 1:55.096. Cooper continued his climb posting a 1:55.036 to push up into second.
With just under 30 minutes to go in the session, SprintX driver Auberlen driving for Virginia-based BimmerWorld Racing topped the charts in his #82 BMW M4 GT4 posting a 1:54.416. Wittmer then posted a 1:54.875 to move back into second on the charts.
At the checkered the top three times held - Auberlen (1:54.416), Wittmer (1:54.875), and Cooper (1:55.036). Pirelli GT4 America Sprint and SprintX series teams and competitors now get set for qualifying sessions on Friday morning.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS Sprint - PDF Link
PROVISIONAL RESULTS SprintX - PDF Link