BMW Fastest Overall and PRO-AM Class
Farnbacher Leads FGTWC PRO Class
Night Practice Results
Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS combined with the Intercontinental GT World Challenge for Night Practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of the Indianapolis 8-Hour presented by AWS on Saturday, Oct. 7.
A steady rain canceled half of the day's practice sessions while filling the 2.439-mile, 14-turn with multiple puddles. The rain shortly subsided for the start of the Indianapolis 8-hour night session, but a downpour would accompany the final 45 minutes. The field of 22 comprised of the two series is split into three classes- FGTWCA PRO, IGTC PRO and PRO-AM.
Pair of BMW Float IGTC PRO Class
The No. 31 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 and the No. 30 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 were the lone participants testing the waters in the IGTC PRO Class. The sister cars followed each other to the top of the time charts as first and second fastest overall, respectively. The No. 31 WRT BMW of Charles Weerts set a Best Lap time of 1:33.864 before handing the car over to Augusto Farfus.
Farnbacher Tops Porsche Competition in FGTWC PRO Class
Mario Farnbacher in the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 had a Best Lap time of 1:34.393 to sit atop the FGTWC PRO Class. The No. 53 MDK Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R of Trenton Estep joined Farnbacher on track. His best time was a 1:37.392. The No. 28 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3 R had Klaus Bachler try his hand at wheeling their championship-leading car.
PRO-AM Class Represented by Four Manufacturers
Five entries from the PRO-AM Class participated in Night Practice. Neil Verhaegen led his class in the No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3 with a 1:34.549. Jake Pedersen in the No. 85 Rearden Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R could have been glued to Verhaegen’s bumper as he turned a Best Lap of 1:34.595. Vesko Kozarov took over for Pederson in the closing minutes of the session. Valentin Hasse-Clot kept Aston Martin in the mix as the third fastest in the No. 007 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3. Edward Cheever III of the No. 535 Sky Tempesta Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO was fourth quickest. Alfred Renauer and Laurin Heinrich shared driving duties in the No. 20 Huber Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Let’s Go Racing
A final 90-minute Prequalifying session begins the workload for teams on Friday, Oct. 6 at 11:25 a.m. ET. Qualifying goes green at 3:35 p.m., with each of the three nominated drivers having a session to push their limits. Top entries participate in a Pole Shootout at 6:45 p.m. to finalize the grid. It all comes to a peak on Saturday, Oct. 7 for the Indianapolis 8-Hour presented by AWS. The start of the race is celebrated with a fan walk open to all ticket holders. Joining in the fun will be the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders, Blue, the Gordon Pipers and more. The green flag flies for the endurance classic at 12:15 pm.