De Angelis Fastest on Friday at CTMP

Roman De Angelis posted the best time of the day Friday at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in the final weekend for Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama competitors.

De Angelis took his No. 98 Mark Motors Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car to a fastest lap of 1:19.662, which was fastest across the two 40-minute sessions.

“It’s always sketchy here putting a lap together,” said De Angelis. “The track is super unpredictable all the time with the heat and the way that the surface heats up, so it’s always exciting putting a good lap together. The car felt good, the team is doing a really good job.

“We’re working on a few things for tomorrow because obviously Zach (Robichon) is another guy who will be super quick again. I think qualifying tomorrow is what is really going to help us.”

Reaching the end of his first year in the Porsche GT3 Cup Canada Platinum class, the 17-year old sits second in the championship standings behind teammate Robichon in the No. 98 Porsche.

De Angelis, 38 points out of the lead, is still in mathematical contention for the championship with two races remaining.

Pulling double duty as well, De Angelis is in championship contention Stateside, sitting in second place and 24 points behind leader Trenton Estep.

The Ontario native laments the end of the 2018 Porsche GT3 Cup Canada season, but also looks forward to the final two race weekends in Porsche GT3 Cup USA, in which Robichon was recently tabbed to drive for the remaining events as well.

“It does suck a bit,” De Angelis said about the Porsche GT3 Cup Canada season coming to an end. “I’ve had fun with these guys from Mark Motors and it’s more fun also with Zach. Really good guy. We’re racing together in the States now too, so we have a few more races together. I’m looking forward to this last weekend, I think it’s going to be a good race.”

Robichon wound up second fastest on Friday at CTMP, with a lap from Practice 1 that was just 0.074 seconds off De Angelis’ time.

Remo Ruscitti in the No. 96 OpenRoad Racing Porsche was the only other driver to break the 1:20 mark, recording a time of 1:19.859 during Practice 2.

In the Gold class, Marco Cirone was fastest in the No. 18 Mark Motors Racing Porsche with a time of 1:21.293 (175.248 kph; 108.894 mph) over second-place Ilker Starck in the No. 48 Porsche for Policaro Motorsport / SportsCarBoutique.

Qualifying is set for Saturday at 8:55 a.m. EDT ahead of Race 1 at 2:50 p.m. The final round will take place Sunday at 9:45 a.m. Both races will be streamed live on IMSA.tv.

RESULTS: Practice 1
RESULTS: Practice 2