P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pipo Derani of the #31 Whelen Cadillac Racing V-Series.R GTP entrant topped the opening IMSA free practice session at Long
The first sprint of the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season is scheduled for this Saturday, April 20th, with the first practice session kicking off the event. Reigning GTP champion Derani showed promising speed leading the session, bouncing back from his previous crash. The #31 Cadillac dominated with 30 laps, while Connor De Phillippi’s #25 BMW landed in second place with a 1:13.503 lap time. Chip Ganassi’s #01 Cadillac claimed third spot with a 1:13.531 time after completing only nine laps. Nick Tandy secured fourth place in the #6 Porsche, aiming to replicate last year’s victory with teammate Jaminet to bolster their standings. Phillip Eng of the #24 BMW RLL machine rounded off the top-five in the GTP category, setting a time of 1:14.213. In the GTD category, AWA’s #13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R led the pack, closely followed by Vasser Sullivan’s #89 Lexus RC F GT3 and Wayne Taylor Racing’s #45 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2. Further down the GTD category standings, Vasser Sullivan’s other entry, the #14 Lexus, and Inception Racing’s #70 McLaren completed the top-five rankings. Free practice 2 is expected to intensify the competition, starting at 8:50 PM UK time. For a detailed report on FP1 results for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, click here.
