Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway: Practice Session Summary
In an overcast setting, the Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway commenced with the No. 81 DragonSpeed Ferrari 296 GT3 setting the pace in the first practice session. Lead driver Albert Costa clocked a commanding lap time of 1:45.032, establishing the fastest time in the GTD PRO category.
Russell Ward piloted the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO to a 1:45.471, securing the second overall position and leading the GTD class.
Complementing this competitive field, Andrea Caldarelli placed second in GTD PRO with a time of 1:45.720 in the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2. Road America winner Neil Verhagen followed closely in the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
The top ten overall was rounded out by the two Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Z06 GT3.Rs and the No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3. Notably, Frederik Schandorff of Inception Racing ranked second in GTD, driving the No. 70 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO, with the No. 34 Conquest Racing Ferrari and No. 13 AWA Corvette completing the GTD podium in third and fourth, respectively.
The session was largely uneventful, with a minor red flag issued for debris. Impressively, the times for all 23 competing cars were tightly packed within a two-second margin.
Looking ahead, Practice 2 is scheduled for 10:35 AM ET tomorrow, followed by qualifying at 4:55 PM ET.
Official Timesheet Highlights:
- GTD PRO Leader: Albert Costa (DragonSpeed Ferrari 296 GT3) – 1:45.032
- GTD Leader: Russell Ward (Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO) – 1:45.471
- Second in GTD PRO: Andrea Caldarelli (Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini) – 1:45.720
- Second in GTD: Frederik Schandorff (Inception Racing McLaren 720S GT3 EVO) – Time TBD
