Dyson Racing's Guy Smith captured an emotional pole position on Friday, in Long Beach, with a lap of 1:14.001. It was a first 'lift' for Mazda since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last month.
“Credit goes to our engineers. The track is changing all the time and they did a great job. There was so much rubber that went down so you’re guessing as to what will happen,” said Smith.
Aston Martin Racing's Klaus Graf and Smith swapped the top spot eight times during the session. Graf ended-up second, 0.452 seconds slower than the polesitter and championship leader.
“By this time tomorrow the track will be different again. Every time I’d cross the line, I’d gain a half-second and then Klaus would come back and go quicker. So he kept me honest. The first part of the weekend is good. Tomorrow the real work begins.”
Gunnar Jeannette was third overall, which als gave him the pole position in LMP Challenge. In GT, Joey Hand grabbed the pole position in his BMW M3 he co-drives alongside Dirk Mueller.
“This is one my favorite venues and I’ve wanted to win here for a long time, said Hand. On a street course like this, the first guy fast is the guy to beat. So I wanted to go out from the beginning and be that guy. Our car was so good on the balance that I was honestly surprised.”
Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen was second in class in the Corvette C6.R that he will drive with Oliver Gavin. Bill Auberlen was third in the second BMW Team RLL entry co-driven by Dirk Werner.
Mazda Speed team manager John Doonan dedicated the pole to the people of Japan. The race will be held later today [Saturday].
“Credit goes to our engineers. The track is changing all the time and they did a great job. There was so much rubber that went down so you’re guessing as to what will happen,” said Smith.
Aston Martin Racing's Klaus Graf and Smith swapped the top spot eight times during the session. Graf ended-up second, 0.452 seconds slower than the polesitter and championship leader.
“By this time tomorrow the track will be different again. Every time I’d cross the line, I’d gain a half-second and then Klaus would come back and go quicker. So he kept me honest. The first part of the weekend is good. Tomorrow the real work begins.”
Gunnar Jeannette was third overall, which als gave him the pole position in LMP Challenge. In GT, Joey Hand grabbed the pole position in his BMW M3 he co-drives alongside Dirk Mueller.
“This is one my favorite venues and I’ve wanted to win here for a long time, said Hand. On a street course like this, the first guy fast is the guy to beat. So I wanted to go out from the beginning and be that guy. Our car was so good on the balance that I was honestly surprised.”
Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen was second in class in the Corvette C6.R that he will drive with Oliver Gavin. Bill Auberlen was third in the second BMW Team RLL entry co-driven by Dirk Werner.
Mazda Speed team manager John Doonan dedicated the pole to the people of Japan. The race will be held later today [Saturday].