Dragonspeed on pole once again at IMSA VIR, Vasser Sullivan takes pole in GTD
- Natalie Johnston
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
The No.81 Dragonspeed Ferrari took pole in GTD PRO at the Michelin GT Challenge, their fourth pole of the season. The No.12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus took their third GTD pole of the season in a dominant qualifying session.
Qualifying at VIR began at 4:55 pm track time on Saturday. The two GT classes ran in separate sessions and are set to start in their separate classes for the race on Sunday, regardless of lap time.
There was a question of whether the No.4 Pratt Miller Corvette would be able to compete in their GTD PRO session ahead of the green flag. They had steam emanating from the rear of the car during practice, but after an engine change, they were all set to compete.
GTD
Russell Ward in the No.57 Winward Racing Mercedes was the first to leave the pit lane upon seeing the green flag. The Mercedes had a moment of low grip straight away, but logged a baseline lap.
The No.27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin quickly jumped up the timing sheets, Casper Stevenson setting a humble 1:52.88 to start. The No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus, with Jack Hawksworth at the wheel, bested the No.27 with a more indicative 1:45.833. Only five points separate the No.27 Aston Martin and the No.12 Lexus in the standings coming into the weekend.
Patrick Gallagher found pace in his No.96 Turner Motorsport BMW. He set a 1:45.757 to take the lead, and a 1:45.355 one lap later, placing him in P2. The track was rapidly developing with just under seven minutes to go. Jack Hawksworth in the No.12 continued to best his own times, logging a 1:44.860. The No.57 of Russell Ward climbed up to second place, just .138s back of the Lexus.
Onofrio Triarsi in the Triarsi Competizione No.021 found his footing and logged a 1:44.999, putting him P3, just 0.001s off of the championship-leading No.57, a huge lap for the Ferrari.
It was the No.12 followed by the No.57, then the No.021, with just over a minute to go. The Triarsi was still pushing, logging a fastest second sector, but was unable to improve after a poor third sector.
Jack Hawksworth in the No.12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus was never in doubt through the short session, taking pole by a 0.138s margin over the No.57. The No.021 secured third position, followed by the No.27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin in fourth, and the No.34 Conquest Racing Ferrari in fifth.
GTD PRO
The entire GTD PRO class poured out of the pits for their IMSA VIR qualifying session at 5:20 pm track time. The No.77 AO Racing Porsche opted to scrub a set of tyres on their first lap and return to the pits. The No.3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller topped the timing sheet early in the session with Antonio Garcia at the wheel. Giacomo Altoe in the No.81 Dragonspeed Ferrari was not far behind; both cars set a time in the 1:49s.
Dan Harper in the No.48 Paul Miller BMW was the first to crack the 1:45s with a 1:45.090, jumping ahead of the No.3 and No.4 Pratt Miller Corvettes. Giacomo Altoe set a rapid 1:44.847 in his No.81 Ferrari, but was quickly bested by Neil Verhagen in the No.1 Paul Miller BMW with a 1:44.620.
Aaron Telitz had an off-track moment in his No. 14 Vasser Sullivan, but was fortunately able to continue running. Telitz then dumped some sod and grass that was caught in his grill off the racing line by brake-checking.
The No.81 Ferrari with Giacomo Altoe at the wheel went fastest once more by a 0.045s margin with under three minutes to go. The No.1 Paul Miller came into the pits after their lead was taken. The track appeared to have stopped evolving by the end of the session. However, Dan Harper in the No.48 BMW was able to jump to third position with under a minute to go. The two Paul Miller cars were separated by just 0.008 seconds.
Giacomo Altoe put his No.81 Dragonspeed Ferrari on pole, ahead of the No.1 and the No.48 Paul Miller BMWs in second and third. After the BMWs come their rival manufacturers, the No.3 and No.4 Pratt Miller Corvettes in fourth and fifth place.
