Mars Leads Mustang GT4 Sweep in Roar Test

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Luca Mars ended the three-day Roar pre-season test for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competitors on top, leading a Ford Muatang GT4 sweep of the three fastest times in GS.

Driving the No. 59 KohR Motorsports entry, the 18-year-old’s pace-setting lap of 1:53.042 from the opening session on Friday held up as quickest of the weekend following five sessions at Daytona International Speedway.

It was 0.117 seconds quicker than Ford NASCAR Truck Series driver Zane Smith in the No. 42 PF Racing entry and 0.253 seconds clear of Chad McCumbee in the No. 13 McCumbee McAleeer Racing with Aerosport entry.

The No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Daniel Morad was best of the rest in fourth, followed by Spencer Pumpelly, who completed the top five in the No. 83 BGB Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

Six of the ten fastest drivers were all in Fords during the test.

TCR was led by the No. 99 VGRT Honda Civic Type R TCR of Victor Gonzalez, whose 1:58.004 lap time from Session 2 held up as quickest of the test.

Gonzalez edged out the No. 61 Road Shagger Racing Audi RS 3 LMS TCR of Jon Morley by 0.037 seconds, with the No. 5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TCR driven by Roy Block third.

Pilot Challenge competitors will return to the track on Wednesday for the first official practice session of the weekend ahead of Friday’s four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge.

RESULTS: Roar Test (Combined)

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