Catsburg Leads BMW 1-2 in Opening Session

Nicky Catsburg set the fastest time in the opening qualifying practice session for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, leading Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Christian Krognes in a BMW one-two.

The No. 98 Rowe Racing BMW M4 GT3 was at the top throughout the session, as Catsburg’s co-driver John Edwards set a 8:17.540 in the opening exchanges.

However, Catsburg reeled off a time of 8:14.771 later in the session to end up as the quickest.

Moments after the Dutchman set his best time, Krognes jumped to second place overall behind the wheel of the No. 101 Walkenhorst entry with 1.165 seconds separating the two cars.

The No. 12 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein entry, driven by Luca Stolz, completed the top three.

Toksport WRT took fourth with Julien Andlauer setting the fastest time, ahead of the No. 4 Team Getspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo which rounded out the top five.

Audi Sport Team Phoenix ended the session sixth after Dries Vanthoor had initially put the No. 15 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II in second early on.

The German squad remained ahead of KCMG as well as the second Rowe Racing BMW, with TF Sport’s lone Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in ninth.

The top ten was rounded out by defending winner Manthey Racing and its No. 1 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

The first session of the weekend finished early, as barriers repaired were required after a crash for Thorsten Jung’s No. 131 Muelhner Motorsport Porsche 992 GT3 Cup.

Two GT3 cars suffered notable incidents, with the No. 21 CP Racing Mercedes of Joe Foster making contact with the No. 121 Toyota Corolla Altis and the No. 102 Walkenhorst BMW coming to a halt on track with Joerg Mueller at the wheel.

Track action at the Nürburgring continues with the second qualifying practice session at 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET).

RESULTS: Qualifying 1