Watkins Glen qualifying: Acura's Van der Zande sets new GTP lap record and AO Racing on pole for LMP2
- Ghazlan Atqiya Firmansyah
- Jun 22
- 4 min read
Written by Ghazlan Atqiya Firmansyah
Acura Meyer Shank Racing's (MSR) Renger van der Zande has just set a new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) lap record at the Six Hours of The Glen qualifying. The No.93 car that Van der Zande belong to received its second consecutive Motul Pole Award after taking pole position last time out in Detroit.
The Dutchman piloted his Acura GTP under intense Watkins Glen summer heat with track temperature peaking at 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48,3°C). But the heat did little to shake his confidence as he blazed with his 1:31.558 lap time, besting last year's 1:32.209 time set by Louis Delétraz.
The 39-year-old was not expecting to set lap times around the 1 minute 31 seconds and admitted it was difficult to nail Turn 1.
"I didn’t expect a 31 and I’m very impressed. Turn 1 was very difficult today, and I kind of overshot on my first push lap. So, I had a second prep lap, and then I took it a bit easy on my fastest lap. I kind of nailed Turn 1, and from then, the lap went really well. I didn’t know how to get more out of the lap."
This marked Van der Zande's fourth IMSA pole, after the last one came at the 2018 24 Hours of Daytona with Cadillac. The No.31 Cadillac is starting behind them, and Van der Zande knew a trick or two about the car he drove last year.
"I haven’t done much qualifying in the IMSA championship, and honestly, I like finishing races. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. I know the Cadillac inside out, and I think that car is a little better on the tires than our Acura. I think tire management is going to be a key tomorrow. Obviously, we have a fast car, and that helps"
The No.31 Cadillac was the favourite to secure pole position, but they will start the race from second place. Jack Aitken was not bothered by being beaten to pole by the Acura and said the hot temperature would actually play to No.31's hands.
"With the forecast being a bit hotter tomorrow, it actually will play into the 31 car", he said. "It’s much more our strength, especially when you get later in the race and you have to take care of your tires more."
Colin Braun of the No.60 MSR car lined up in third ahead of the two Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing cars. The championship-leading No.6 Porsche car struggled and could only manage eighth. The No.23 Aston Martin Valkyrie will start from the ninth, and the returning Lamborghini will start from the 11th.
LMP2: AO Racing on top
Fresh off their LMP2 Pro-Am victory at last week's 24 Hours of Le Mans, P.J. Hyett took the No.99 AO Racing on pole for the LMP2 class. The purple-colored Oreca 07 will start ahead of the No.11 TDS Racing and the No.22 United Autosports USA.
Hyett's path to pole position was anything but easy. The No.99 car suffered an engine issue at the end of Practice 2 and required fast and swift repairs. The 41-year-old dedicated his fifth IMSA pole to his team.
"To me, putting it on pole is a testament to the team putting the car back together", Hyett said. "I’m super proud to be able to start at the sharp end. Everybody works their tails off. The team is really gelling together, and it’s time for a great result for AO Racing in the LMP2 class."
Hyett has been racing professionally for barely four years, but he has already won Le Mans in quite a short time. The American driver eyes his first IMSA victory after securing five poles already.
"We’re certainly feeling good after last weekend. It boosts the confidence a little bit for the first professional race win to happen in the biggest race in the world."
You’ve got to enjoy the moments when they come, because sometimes, they don’t", Hyett continued. "Last weekend was one of those moments that was completely surreal, and I couldn’t believe what was happening."
"Getting on poles at these IMSA races is also surreal, but we need to actually execute during the race. We’ll see what we do tomorrow, but it’s been a hell of a ride", Hyett concluded.
GTD and GTD Pro
Lamborghini's Andrea Caldarelli qualified on pole for the GTD Pro ahead of the No.27 Paul Miller Racing BMW. Caldarelli’s 1:44.595 lap time puts him ahead of the second-placed Dan Harper's 1:44.737. Starting in third from this class would be the No.4 Corvette. Aaron Telitz qualified fifth in the No.14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus.
In the GTD category, Zacharie Robichon took pole position for the Heart of Racing's No.27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo with 1:44.788. Behind them were the No.36 DXDT Corvette and the No.32 Korthoff Mercedes-AMG.
The Six Hours of The Glen is set to start at noon ET (17:00 BST) on Sunday, 22 June. The race will be streamed on NBC, Peacock, YouTube, IMSA TV and IMSA Radio.
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