Christensen Paces Opening Practice at Road America

Photo: Brian Cleary/PWC

Michael Christensen led the way in opening practice for this weekend’s Pirelli World Challenge Sprint round at Road America.

The Porsche factory driver, who is fresh off GTE-Pro class victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, reeled off a 2:06.263 in the No. 24 Alegra Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R to edge out the No. 2 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Daniel Morad by 0.700 seconds.

Alvaro Parente was third quickest in the No. 9 K-PAX Racing Bentley Continental GT3, followed by overall championship leader Toni Vilander in fourth in the No. 61 R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari 488 GT3.

Daniel Mancinelli completed the top-five in the No. 31 TR3 Racing Ferrari, with Martin Fuentes quickest of the GTA competitors in 7th overall.

The 30-minute session was cut short early after the No. 40 PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4 of James Pesek stopped on track in the closing moments.

Aschenbach Quickest in GTS

Lawson Aschenbach led the way in GTS, which is running together with GT this weekend.

The Blackdog Speed Shop driver recorded a quick lap of 2:19.366 in his No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, outpacing the No. 55 PF Mustang GT4 of Jade Buford.

Ian James was third quickest in class in the No. 50 Panoz Avezzano GT4, followed by Alan Brynjolfson in the No. 77 VOLT Racing Mustang GT4, who was the quickest GTSA driver.

Practice 2 is on tap for 12 p.m. CDT.

RESULTS: Practice 1

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John