Barkey Sets GTS Track Record at CTMP to Score Pole

Martin Barkey will start tomorrow’s Pirelli World Challenge GTS race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park from the pole position after a record-breaking performance in qualifying on Friday.

Barkey turned in a time of 1:23.595 in his Mantella Autosports KTM X-Bow GT4, breaking the track record for the class by over a tenth of a second.

Jade Buford made his last lap count, jumping to second in his final tour of the circuit in the No. 45 Racers Edge Motorsports SIN R1 GT4. Buford’s best time was just 0.073 seconds off of Barkey’s pace-setting mark.

Ernie Francis Jr. impressed in the PF Racing Ford Mustang that is making its PWC debut this weekend, turning in the third-fastest lap just 0.175 seconds off of pole.

Toronto-native Anthony Mantella will start fourth in his KTM, with Rodrigo Baptista fifth for Flying Lizard Motorsports in the No. 3 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR.

GTSA class honors went to Tony Gaples in the No. 11 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R for Blackdog Speed Shop.

The session ran without major incident.

Race 1 for GTS competitors will be tomorrow at 10:35 a.m. ET with coverage available at World-Challenge.com and MotorTrend On Demand.

RESULTS: Qualifying