As the clouds parted and the sun illuminated VIRginia International Raceway, the Pirelli GT4 America field took to the track to kick off the action on Friday afternoon with Practice One. There are a total of 36 cars in the running across three classes this weekend, with each and every team looking to rise to challenge at this technical and high speed circuit.
The 45-minute session ran mostly uninterrupted, with the exception of a short red flag with just over 15 minutes left. The drivers were able to return to the track with just under 14 minutes remaining to complete the session.
Silver Class
Zac Anderson made his presence known very early on in the session, climbing to the top of the charts in the opening laps in his No. 51 Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 GT4. However, the ever-competitive Silver class always serves up variety, and soon enough a number of drivers and manufacturers were vying to claim the best time.
BMW showed off their power and performance, as Kevin Boehm snatched away the top time from Anderson, charging down the track in his No. 92 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4 before handing off his mighty machine to teammate Kenton Koch, who went on to set a flying lap time of 1:53.977. He was the only driver to break through the 1:54 minute mark in this session. Harry Gottsacker and Chandler Hull contributed to a 1-2 finish for BMW, earning a second-place finish, equipped with their No. 88 STR38 Motorsports BMW M4 GT4.
They were closely followed by the No. 999 Hanley Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO of Parker Thompson and Daniel Hanley, who slotted into third, therefore bumping Zac Anderson and JCD Dubets to fourth as the first practice session came to a close. Jesse Webb and Michai Stephens completed the Top 5 and added another entry in the manufacturer medley with their No. 34 Conquest Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4.
PRO-AM Class
Tyler McQuarrie got to work quickly on board his No. 82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4, jumping to the top of the PRO-AM leaderboard less than 15 minutes into the session and maintained the class lead from that point onward, also securing the third-fastest time overall in the process.
The battle raged on behind, as Curt Swearingin and Kay van Berlo took second in class in their No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport as the checkered flag waved. They were narrowly ahead of Elias Sabo and Andy Lee in the No. 8 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, separated by just over two tenths of a second.
Kevin Conway and John Geesbreght drove their No. 68 Smooge Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO over the rolling hills of VIR and set the fourth-fastest time in class, with Ross Chouest and Aaron Povoledo closing out the Top 5 with the No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4.
AM Class
Not only did Chris Allen set the fastest time in the AM Class, the STR38 Motorsports driver also secured the sixth-best overall time in his No. 438 BMW M4 GT4. Allen and teammate Robert Mau were accompanied by fellow BMW drivers James Clay and Charlie Postins in the No. 36 BimmerWorld BMW G82 M4 GT4.
The No. 98 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4 of Al Carter and Paul Sparta ended the session in third place, followed by the No. 77 TR3 Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 of Paul Kiebler and Jon Branam in fourth, with the No. 253 Auto Technic Racing of Satakal Khalsa and Rob Walker closing out the opening practice session in fifth.
Let’s Get Racing
The series takes to the track later today for Practice Two at 5:15 p.m. ET. Fans can follow progression with Griiip Live, live timing. The studio makes it easy to follow class battles, lap times, and pit strategy for the five SRO America series.