Friday marked the first official on-track activity for IMSA teams at this weekend’s ROAR Before the Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Speedway.
More than 100 cars in three IMSA series, all utilizing Michelin tires, took part on a day when the ambient temperature held in the low 80s with track temperature in the mid-to-high 80s. Rain in the late afternoon limited running for most competitors.
Both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge ran for a pair of practice sessions. Combined times for each series are below. Mazda’s No. 77 RT24-P topped the WeatherTech times.
Additionally, here’s a link to WeatherTech Championship photos from the day.
Meanwhile the IMSA Prototype Challenge practiced twice and qualified in the midst of rain late Friday afternoon. Garett Grist put the No. 51 K2R Motorsports Ligier on pole. He’ll share that car with Rob Hodes for Saturday’s three-hour Scouts of America race. Results for both qualifying and practice are below.
BMW Team RLL’s Alex Zanardi held court in the media center during a 30-minute availability. The Italian had a mix of great humor and insight.
The Konica Minolta Cadillac team announced two new sponsors (AMETEK Electronic Systems Protection and CIT) before its quartet of drivers, plus team principal Wayne Taylor, took the stage. Fernando Alonso received most of the questions before a veteran reporter helped steer the conversation to include his three teammates: Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande and Kamui Kobayashi.
Acura Team Penske also made an appearance with five of its six drivers (Simon Pagenaud arrived later Friday). Scott Pruett was announced as grand marshal for this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Lastly, LMP3 team Alianza – Gilbert Motorsports and the Lupus Foundation of America announced a motorsports initiative program for the 2019 season.
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