- Stephens and Webb power into the top spot in Silver
- Coleman and Johnson top Pro-Am and overall
- Shanny and Borcheller quickest in Am
- Provisional Results
The Pirelli GT4 America field took to Sonoma Raceway for their first official test of the 2023 season. The 41 GT4 machines were on track for a 45-minute session, during which drivers exchanged positions multiple times, giving us an exclusive look at how the 2023 season is shaping up to be; thrilling, exciting and competitive. The session went uninterrupted, which gave the drivers plenty of time to alter and enhance their adjustments ahead of Practice Two later this afternoon.
Silver
The No. 34 Conquest Racing / JMF Motorsport set the pace in the Silver class, thanks to stellar lap times by Michai Stephens and Jesse Webb. Canadian pro-driver Parker Thompson and Dominic Starkweather followed suit, with both of them at the helm of their No.999 Hanley motorsports Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4.
The No. 19 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport of Andrew Davis and Francis Selldorff set a lap time of 1:47.672, putting them in third place. Rounding off the Top 5 was the No.51 Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 GT4 of John Dubets and Zac Anderson, and the No. 92 Random Vandals Racing co-commanded by Kenton Koch and TC America TC class Champion Kevin Boehm.
Pro-Am
Positions kept being exchanged in the Pro-Am class, but one team prevailed and remained on top of the charts for most of the session; the No. 069 Archangel Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 of Todd Coleman and Billy Johnson. Their flying 1:45.868 lap time placed them first in the Pro-Am class and overall.
Series regulars Matt Travis and Jason Hart were just 0.847 away from first place in their No. 47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, with the No. 95 OGH/Valkyrie Velocity Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport of Mac Clark and Rob Ferriol on the NOLASPORT machine’s tail, with only 0.053 tenths separating the two cars.
The No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 clocked in the fourth fastest time of the Pro-Am class with only a few minutes remaining in the session, edging out the No. 82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 co-driven by James Walker Jr and Tyler McQuarrie.
Am
Carrus Callas Raceteam were the outfit to beat in the Am class, with the driver duo of Nicholas Shanny and Terry Borcheller setting a rapid lap time of 1:46.973 in the No. 20 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4.
As predicted, RS1 quickly made their mark once more, as Roland Krainz and Austin Krainz slotted themselves into second place with a time of 1:47.514. This team is no stranger to success, and the Krainz pairing will be eager to bring forward a challenge in their No. 18 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
Brazilian teammates Custodio Toledo and Paulo Carcasci rounded off the Top 3 in class in the No. 35 Conquest Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 with a time of 1:47.771. The field was packed tightly, with the No. 83 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport of Juan Martinez and Nelson Calle hot in pursuit, followed by the No. 36 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 of Charlie Postins and James Clay, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Practice 2 starts at 5:10 PM PT, followed by Qualifying at 10:40 and 11:00 AM on Saturday.
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