Leist Leads Opening Sebring Practice in CSM Porsche 1-2

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Matheus Leist was quickest in the first IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge practice session for Friday’s Alan Jay Automotive Networks 120 at Sebring International Raceway.

The ex-IndyCar driver led a CSM Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport 1-2 in the session, with the No. 2 entry of Morgan Burkhard clocking the second fastest time, 0.057 seconds behind.

Jaxon Bell was third quickest in the No. 23 Koch-Copeland Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, with Spencer Pumpelly making it three Porsches in the top-four in his No. 83 BGB Motorsports entry.

The No. 54 Panam Motorsport Toyota completed the top-five in the hand of Thiago Camilo, ahead of the No. 14 Circle H Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Evo of Thomas Merrill in sixth.

The session saw a single red flag, with 15 minutes to go, for the No. 66 Van der Steur Racing Aston Martin of Allen Patten, who went off course in Turn 15.

The car had set the seventh quickest time of the session with Trenton Estep at the wheel prior to the incident.

TCR was led by the No. 99 Victor Gonzalez Racing CUPRA Leon VZ TCR of Franco Girolami, thanks to a 2:12.205 lap time.

Several cars, including the No. 67 BSI Racing Toyota and No. 3 CSM Porsche, had off-course moments but did not bring out red flags.

Additionally, the No. 60 KohR Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 stopped on track in Turn 17 but quickly continued.

A second practice session is on tap for Thursday at 8 a.m. EST, followed by qualifying in the afternoon.

RESULTS: Practice 1

Source: Sports Car 365