Braun Tops Opening Practice at VIR

Photo: Brian Cleary/SRO

Colin Braun led the way for DXDT Racing and Mercedes-AMG in the first official practice session for GT World Challenge America powered by AWS competitors at Virginia International Raceway.

Braun reeled off a best time of 1:44.550 in his CrowdStrike-sponsored Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo to end up quickest in the 60-minute session.

It was 0.090 seconds faster than GT3 Am competitor Max Root, who jumped to second overall on the time sheets in the closing moments, denying a 1-2 for DXDT.

The No. 63 DXDT Mercedes of Ryan Dalziel was third fastest, followed by the Circuit of The Americas overall race-winning No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo of Trent Hindman and Shelby Blackstock in fourth.

Teammates Kyle Marcelli and Martin Barkey completed the top-five overall, despite losing time early in the session due to reported smoke in the cockpit of their No. 80 Acura.

Ryan Gates was quickest of the GT Sports Club America competitors, having set a best time of 1:49.652 in his 311RS Motorsport Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport.

A total of 12 cars turned laps, in the expected combined entry between GTWC America and GTSC America competitors this weekend.

The second and final practice session of the day is set for 4:30 p.m. ET.

RESULTS: Practice 1 GTWC/GTSC

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