Test Session 2 for GT World Challenge America began at 1:30 local time, under sunny skies and brutal late-Spring heat and humidity. Officially the ambient temperatures were measured at 30°C. However some reported it up to 36°C, with track temperatures cracking 50°C.
In these conditions, the test produced a surprising pace-setter: Jean-Claude Saada in the Am Cup #61 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 recorded the best time of the session, 1’34.447. The Bronze graded Saada took Loris Spinelli in the #6 US Racetronics Mercedes-AMG GT3 off the top spot, and got to within Mario Farnbacher’s 1’34.425 set earlier in the day.
Spinelli’s best lap was a 1’34.491, followed by the #08 DXDT AMG GT3 of Bryan Sellers in third (1’35.395).
There was a brief red flag 40 minutes into the session, but it was quickly cleaned up.
Further down the order, the #1 K-PAX Lamborghini Huracan GT3 of Michele Beretta and Andrea Caldarelli were seventh in Session 1, and 11th in Session 2.
Beretta is a quality driver in his own right – and he and Caldarelli do have a working relationship from their days as part of FFF Racing Team – but it’s clear that by splitting up the CaldaPepper duo, that the playing field is more level for the rest of the field going forward.
Within GT4 America’s 32-car field there are some heavy hitters – and one new addition!
New to the GT4 America grid this weekend is Regal Motorsports’ #427 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR, which will be driven by Anthony Bartone and Andy Pilgrim.
Bartone is the son of Tony Bartone, who’s made his name in drag racing as the owner of Bartone Bros. Racing – three-time and defending NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car champions. The team based out of Lewisport, Kentucky have lofty ambitions of competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race that Pilgrim has competed in six times over the course of his lengthy career.
This won’t be a one-off entry – speaking with members of the team, Regal Motorsports will run other races throughout the GT4 America calendar, if not a full-season.
Meanwhile, Pilgrim will also be running select rounds of the GT America sprint series for SKI Autosport.
Meanwhile, the NOLASPORT team will have plenty of eyes on all three of their cars. As the name of their organisation implies, they’re based right here in New Orleans.
When they say it’s their home race, they’re telling the truth – NOLASPORT have their racing shop and showroom based right here at NOLA Motorsports Park!
The vintage Porsche road cars in the NOLASPORT showroom are worth checking out, recommended for tomorrow between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM local time.
NOLASPORT’s reigning Pro-Am Cup champion, Jason Hart, was the quickest driver in GT4 America’s Test Session 1, setting a 1’44.819.
But it was RS1’s Stevan McAleer, driving the #18 Community Beer Works-sponsored Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, who set the fastest time of the day in Test Session 2 with a 1’44.333. McAleer and Eric Filgueiras swept the Sonoma weekend with two overall and Silver Cup victories.
GT4 America’s second test was red-flagged in the final fifteen minutes after the #888 Zelus Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 stopped on track.
These testing results across all categories may mean next to nothing by the end of the race meeting, however. Forecasts for the weekend show a moderate chance of rain on Saturday, then a great chance of rain and thunderstorms on Sunday.
The @gtworldcham visits @NOLAMotorsports & there will be a mixed bag of weather. Sunny & hot on Friday, rain possible at times on Saturday, & thunderstorms likely throughout all of Sunday. Hoping the lightning stays away.@GT4America @tc_america @gt_america_ @fanatec pic.twitter.com/ofyaegtKoL
— Racecast Weather (@RacecastWx) May 19, 2022
If that’s the case, this will be the ultimate test for the renovated circuit, and the drainage capabilities of the new tarmac that’s been laid down recently.
Any prospective spectators looking to attend this weekend’s races – please be prepared for the elements in any case: sunscreen and plenty of fluids for the heat, umbrellas and ponchos for the rain if it comes!
Friday’s schedule features a Paid Bronze Test from 9:00~9:30 AM, then GT World Challenge America Practice 1 at 10:40~11:40 AM, and GT4 America Practice 1 from 12:00~12:40 PM. Practice 2 for GTWCA runs from 3:35~4:35 PM, then GT4A Practice 2 finishes the day at 4:55~5:40 PM (all times local).
Feature Image © Brian Cleary / SRO Motorsports Group America
