Helyen Tops Opening Practice of Weekend at The Glen

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Jan Heylen led the way in opening Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS practice at Watkins Glen International.

The Belgian reeled off a best lap of 1:44.817 to put the Pro-Am class No. 20 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R atop the time charts in the 60-minute session.

Heylen’s time was a considerable 0.805 seconds faster than the No. 3 K-PAX Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo of Andrea Caldarelli, who was quickest of the Pro class entrants.

The No. 63 DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo of Ryan Dalziel was third quickest, ahead of the Road America-winning No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 of Robby Foley.

Winward Racing’s Mercedes of Russell Ward and Mikael Grenier completed the top-five overall.

Sixth went to the No. 9 TR3 Racing Lamborghini of Giacomo Altoe, with the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo seventh quickest.

Fourteen of the 15 entered cars set times, with the No. 31 TR3 Lamborghini not setting a lap after an accident in opening GT America powered by AWS practice.

As a result, the No. 61 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 was quickest in the two-car Am class.

Practice 2 is scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m. ET.

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