Earl Bamber turned the fastest lap in GT Le Mans in today’s opening one-hour practice session for the WeatherTech 240 around the storied Daytona Roval circuit.
A diluted grid of only 26-entries will make up the field for IMSA’s first session in over five months due to the LMP2 grid being shelved as several international drivers are unable to enter the United States amid the global pandemic.
Reigning champions Bamber and Porsche teammate Laurens Vanthoor ended the session fastest in the No.912, a mere 0.072s ahead of the No.4 Corvette Racing machine.
Nick Tandy was third quickest in the sister Porsche, one-tenth down on Bamber and Vanthoor.
The overall fastest lap was clocked by ex-Formula 1 and IndyCar ace Juan Pablo Montoya in the Acura Daytona Protoype.
Partnered with American racer Dane Cameron, Montoya set a 1.35.960 on his final timed lap to pip Pipo Derani by 0.016s at the chequered flag.
Derani was set to race with fellow Brazilian Felipe Nasr but the latter has been forced to sit out the weekend after testing positive for COVID-19. Gabby Chaves will substitute in for the Cadillac outfit for the rest of the event.
Harry Tincknell was third in the Mazda DPi to make it three different manufacturers inside the top-three. 0.053s would be the ultimate difference separating first to third after one-hour of practice.
Finnish racer Toni Vilander paced the GT Daytona class in the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa WeatherTech Ferrari 488, two tenths clear of the Lexus RC F GT3 of Townsend Bell.
Bamber will have one further practice session tomorrow followed by qualifying and the race which is scheduled to kick off from 10 am NZT.
