RS1’s Bachler Paces Indy Pre Qualifying

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Klaus Bachler led the way in Pre Qualifying for Saturday’s Indianapolis 8 Hour powered by AWS, putting RS1’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Pro championship-leading car atop the overall time sheets.

The Porsche-affiliated driver laid down a fast lap of 1:23.253 early in the 90-minute session to edge out the No. 33 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 of Ryan Dalziel by 0.044 seconds.

Laurin Heinrich put the Pro-Am class No. 20 Huber Racing Porsche third quickest overall, ahead of the pair of Team WRT BMW M4 GT3s, which are entered in the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli Pro class.

The No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 was the second quickest Fanatec GT Pro entry in sixth, ahead of the seventh-placed Rearden Racing’s Porsche and a late improvement for Earl Bamber in the No. 4 Grove Racing Porsche in eighth.

BimmerWorld’s BMW, the No. 45 Wright Motorsports Porsche and the ST Racing BMW completed the top-11, ahead of both IGTC-entered Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos from Craft-Bamboo Racing and GruppeM Racing, which were 12th and 13th overall.

Friday’s running marked the first dry track time for Indy 8 Hour competitors since Wednesday’s unofficial test sessions, after a rain-soaked Free Practice on Thursday evening that saw limited running.

Qualifying gets underway at 3:35 p.m. EDT with live coverage on SRO’s GT World YouTube page.

RESULTS: Pre Qualifying

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