Int’l GTC: Kyalmai 9 hours Qualifying
5 PRO teams
As expected the qualifying session of the Kyalami 9 Hours (second round of the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli) was leaded by the 5 PRO teams ahead of the 5 Pro-Am teams.
📷 © Courtesy of Gruppe M. GruppeM Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 #999.
The three Mercedes-AMG works drivers Maro Engel, Raffaele Marciello and Mikael Grenier did each dominate their 15’ qualifying session with GruppeM Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 #999. They’ll start from pole the Kyalami 9 Hours tomorrow at 1pm.
📷 © Courtesy of BMW M Motorsport: BMW M Team WRT, #32 Shell BMW M4 GT3, Charles Weerts, Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor.
📷 © Courtesy of BMW M Motorsport: BMW M Team WRT, #33 BMW M4 GT3, Philipp Eng, Augusto Farfus and Maxime Martin.
Both Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 follow with #32 Shell BMW M4 GT3, Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon van der Linde, Charles Weerts who’ll start from first row and #33 BMW M4 GT3, Augusto Farfus, Maxime Martin, Philipp Eng starting from second row behind the #999 Mercedes-AMG.
📷 © Courtesy of Audi Sport: Audi R8 LMS evo II GT3 by Tresor Attempto Racing.
Both Tresor Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3s have set 4th and 5th team average time. #66 with Mattia Drudi, Ricardo Feller and Patric Niederhauser will start from second row and the #99 with Markus Winkelhock, Alex Aka and Dennis Marschall will start from third row
Important to note that the team average time of the top four are within 0,410 sec.; it is very promising for the race as each of those twelve drivers are very close.
3 Pro-Am
The next three contenders for victory or at least a podium are the following Pro-Am teams:
6th: Jules Gounon, Yannick Mettler and Kenny Habul driving the Sun Energy1 Racing Mercedes #75
7th: #4 Grove Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (991.II) with Earl Bamber, Brenton and Stephen Grove. Note that Bamber demonstrated his talent by setting the second fastest lap in his qualifying session.
8th: Luca Stolz, Reece Barr and Miguel Ramos with the #20 SPS Automotive Performance Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Timetable
Saturday 25 February 2023
13:00-22:00 Race (9 hours)
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