Braun Paces Opening Practice at NOLA

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Colin Braun led the way in opening Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS practice at NOLA Motorsports Park.

Braun, in the Pro-Am championship-leading No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, reeled off a fast time of 1:34.636 to edge out the No. 45 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R of Jan Heylen by 0.223 seconds.

Valentin Hasse Clot, who is filling in for TRG’s regular driver Ross Gunn, was third on the time charts in the No. 007 Aston Martin Vantage GT3, followed by the No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3.

Daniel Morad completed the top-five in the No. 9 TR3 Racing Mercedes, ahead of the Pro class pace-setting No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 of Mario Farnbacher and Ashton Harrison.

There were no red flags in the session.

All 17 cars turned laps in the 60-minute session, including the No. 33 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3, which completed an overnight rebuild with spare parts from its second chassis that arrived last night.

Friday’s second and final practice session for GTWC America competitors is on tap for 3:15 p.m. CT.

RESULTS: Practice 1

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