Piana Quickest in GTS Practice 1

Photo: Brian Cleary/PWC

Gabriele Piana led the way in the first Pirelli World Challenge GTS practice session of the season in St. Pete, ahead of this weekend’s pair of Sprint rounds.

The Muehlner Motorsports driver reeled off a best lap of 1:19.298 in his Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR to edge out the No. 55 PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4 of Jade Buford by 0.372 seconds.

James Sofronas was third quickest in the No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4, which is making its series debut this weekend, followed by defending class champion Lawson Aschenbach in fourth in the No. 1 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R.

Vinnie Allegretta completed the top-five in the No. 10 PF Mustang GT4.

Tony Gaples was quickest of the GTSA competitors in sixth in his No. 11 Blackdog Camaro GT4, ahead of Toby Grahovec’s No. 26 Classic BMW M4 GT4 and the No. 99 JCR Maserati GT4 of Jeff Courtney.

Practice 2 is scheduled for 4:10 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