It was an unpredictable qualifying session at Road Atlanta as the rain played a significant role. The GPT category was the last to take to the track, and the darkening skies forced every team to switch to rain tires. The 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course was drenched, creating challenging conditions for the drivers.
As the 20-minute session progressed, the rain subsided, and certain parts of the track started to dry out. This change in conditions led to a drop in lap times, intensifying the battle for pole position. In the final seconds of the session, it was Louis Deletraz who managed to put together an impressive late flyer of 1m15.402s in the #10 Acura ARX-06, securing the pole position. Although his lap was slightly hindered by the #5 JDC Miller MotorSports Porsche 963 driven by Mike Rockenfeller, Deletraz showcased his skill and determination.
Sebastien Bourdais, representing Chip Ganassi Racing, showcased his talent by putting the #01 Cadillac V-Series.R in second place, just 0.230s behind Deletraz. Bourdais maintained his composure despite the challenging conditions and delivered a strong performance.
Augusto Farfus, from BMW M Team RLL, secured the third position, trailing behind the leader by only 0.329s. Farfus showed his adaptability and skill in navigating the wet track, proving his worth as a top-tier driver.
The LMP2 category witnessed an exciting battle for pole position, with Ben Keating emerging as the victor. Keating, driving the #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports LMP2 ORECA 07, managed to pull off an impressive last-minute flyer of 1m13.859s. His determined effort pushed him ahead of Steven Thomas from TDS Racing, with a gap of only 0.020s.
TDS Racing, however, didn’t miss out on the podium celebrations. John Falb piloted the #35 machine to secure the third position, finishing 0.521s behind Keating. The LMP2 category showcased the fierce competition among the teams, highlighting their skill and determination.
Glenn van Berlo, competing for Andretti Autosport, thrilled spectators by claiming the top spot in the LMP3 class. Berlo clocked an impressive lap time of 1m16.674s in the #36 Ligier JS P320, surpassing Rasmus Lindh from JDC Miller MotorSports by a mere 0.129s. The battle between the two drivers showcased their commitment to excellence.
Jack Hawksworth proved his dominance in the GTD Pro category, securing the class pole by setting a flying lap of 1m23.168s in the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 for Vasser Sullivan. Hawksworth showcased his exceptional driving skills, leaving his competitors in awe.
Mirko Bortolotti, driving the #63 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for Iron Lynx, finished in second place, trailing Hawksworth by just 0.360s. The battle between the two drivers provided thrilling moments for the spectators.
Ian James, representing Heart of Racing, demonstrated his prowess in the GTD category, delivering a remarkable lap time of 1m23.116s. Despite the changing track conditions, James adapted brilliantly and snatched the top spot in his #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Doriane Pin, driving the #83 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for Iron Dames, secured the second position, finishing 0.679s behind James. Aaron Telitz of Vasser Sullivan claimed the third position in the #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, trailing James by a mere 0.731s.
The qualifying session at Road Atlanta proved to be an exhilarating affair, with drivers pushing their limits amidst challenging weather conditions. The battle for pole positions in each category showcased the skills, determination, and adaptability of the teams and drivers. As the stage is set for the upcoming race, anticipation builds for an action-packed and thrilling event.
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