Porto Quickest in Rain-Affected Opening Practice at VIR

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Kiko Porto set the quickest time in a rain-affected opening IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge practice session of the day at Virginia International Raceway.

The driver of the No. 12 RAFA Racing Team Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 reeled off a pace-setting 1:54.989 lap time on his first flying lap of the session prior to a sudden downpour and red flag at the eight-minute mark of the 60-minute scheduled session.

The No. 59 KohR Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 of Bob Michaelian went off in Turn 14 amid the arrival of heavy rain.

The track remained red-flagged for nearly an hour due to multiple strikes of lightning in the area, before IMSA elected to extend the session through the lunchtime break once conditions improved.

The session restarted with 53 minutes added to the clock and saw several more incidents in wet track conditions, including an accident for Allen Patten in the No. 66 YRB Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo in Turn 1 that brought out a stoppage.

Patten’s entry will lose its fastest qualifying time as a result of the red.

Both the No. 52 Baker Racing Audi RS 3 LMS TCR and No. 54 Panam Motorsport Toyota also had incidents, while the No. 14 Circle H Racing Aston Martin of David Hampton had an off-course excursion in the final moments of the extended session.

Nearly all of the quickest times came in each car’s one-and-only dry lap at the start of the session.

The No. 93 MMG Honda Civic FL5 TCR of Karl Wittmer was credited with the quickest time in the TCR class.

Pilot Challenge competitors will have a second practice session from 5:30-6:30 p.m. this evening, prior to qualifying on Saturday morning.

RESULTS: Practice 1

Source: Sports Car 365