Teams have hit the track for the first time at the Roar before the 24 with new cars from GTLM manufacturers immediately on the pace.
Lucas Luhr was fastest in the first session aboard the new BMW M6 – the No.100 machine stopped the clocks at 1:45.088 in the “basic black” testing livery.
The German ace is sharing the car with John Edwards, Kuno Wittmer and Graham Rahal.
Tommy Milner’s Corvette C7.R may not be totally new – but the car is now looking a little second hand. Milner was second fastest today but finished the session early when the rear of the car caught fire bringing out the red flag.
Milner was evaluated an the infield medical center and released.
Ford’s new GTLM entry was immediately on the pace. Dirk Mueller was third fastest this morning aboard the No.66 entry. Mueller will drive with Joey Hand at Sebastien Bourdais at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The one hour, 45 minute session was disrupted with several red flags include Canadian young Formula 1 test driver Lance Stroll who crashed his Chip Ganassi Racing prototype.
In the prototype ranks Oswaldo Negri had a strong day – not only topping the timesheet this morning but soon after joined Michael Shank Racing’s press conference to announce the team is contesting this year’s Le Mans 24 Hour.
Second fastest today was Ricky Taylor aboard the Corvette DP while newcomers SMP Racing were third fastest with their Nissan-powered BR01 chassis.
Other class leaders included Mark Wilkins for CORE autosport in PC and Tim Pappas in GT Daytona.
Cars will be back on track this afternoon from 3:00pm.
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