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GT World Challenge America

Montecalvo Fastest in Opening COTA Practice

Frankie Montecalvo sets pace in opening COTA PWC practice…

Photo: John Dagys

Photo: John Dagys

Frankie Montecalvo posted the fastest lap during Friday’s 40-minute opening practice session for the Pirelli World Challenge season opener, the Nissan Grand Prix of Texas at Circuit of the Americas.

Montecalvo, in the No. 66 DragonSpeed Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, clocked a best lap of 2:05.656 on the 3.4-mile full circuit. Montecalvo is listed as a GTA classified driver.

Olivier Beretta, in the No. 61 R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, was second overall and fastest GT classified driver at 2:05.823.

Kevin Estre and James Davison set identical lap times of 2:06.219 in the session. Estre is in the No. 9 K-PAX Racing with Flying Lizard Motorsports McLaren 650S GT3 and Davison is in the No. 33 AE Nissan GT Academy Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3.

Ryan Dalziel completed the top five in the session in the No. 31 EFFORT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R at 2:06.391.

Of note, Andy Pilgrim was the fastest of the two new Cadillac Racing Cadillac ATS-V.Rs in the session. Pilgrim was 10th at 2:07.288 in the No. 8 Cadillac.

Colin Thompson led the way in GT Cup presented by MOMO, with a best time of 2:11.657 in the No. 11 Kelly-Moss Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Alec Udell, driving in the No. 17 GMG Racing entry, was second.

The session was interrupted for 15 minutes, following contact between Dan Knox in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Dodge Viper SRT GT3-R and Bill Ziegler in the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW Z4 GT3 in Turn 11. Both GTA cars were brought back to the paddock on a flatbed.

GT, GTA and GT Cup are out next for their second 40-minute practice session this afternoon, which will run from 3 to 3:40 p.m. local time.

RESULTS: Practice 1

Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) is Sportscar365's North American Editor, focusing on coverage of the IMSA-sanctioned championships as well as Pirelli World Challenge. DiZinno also contributes to NBCSports.com and other motorsports outlets. Contact Tony

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