The first Qualifying session of the 2017/18 season in the Asian Le Mans Series was held at the Zhuhai track in China.
The 4.319 kilometres long track had a total of 14 cars, split between LMP3, LMP3 and GT aiming to go for the fast lap, ahead of tomorrows race.
Compared to the entry list, that was released a few days ago, we have lost a Porsche 911 in the GT Cup, and the Spirit of Race Ferrari.
First up was the 11 LMP2 and LMP3 cars, for their 15 minutes session.
ARC Bratislava #4 quickly had to return to the pits after only a few minutes, with some damage to the front of the car. They managed to repair it and get back on again later in the session.
Pipo Derani in the BBT #37 was the first driver to go to Pole Position, with Josh Burdon in the KCMG #18 LMP3 car as second fastest overall for several minutes!
With 4 minutes left on the clock, we saw Thomas Laurent in the Jackie Chan DC Racing X JOTA #8 go to the top. Derani fought back and retook first position. Ho-Pin Tung drove the Jackie Chan DC Racing X JOTA #7 into third.
When the 15 minutes gone, Jackie Chan DC Racing X JOTA #8 was on Pole Position ahead of its sister car #7, with BBT #37 in third, and ARC Bratislava #4 in fourth place.
KCMG #18 was the first LMP3 car, on an overall 5th position, while WIN Motorsport #1 was the second fastest, ahead of Jackie Chan DC Racing #6.
Photo: Asian Le Mans Series
FIST-Team AAI Mercedes #90 was the first car on track in the GT Qualifying, and it put down the fastest times. Rafaelle Marciello was the driver of the Mercedes-AMG GT3, while teammate Jesse Krohn in a BMW M6 GT3 was second fastest. Tianshi Racing Team Audi R8 LMS #66 was driven by Massimiliano Wiser, but unfortunately lost all its time, although it was the slowest in the class anyway.
The race will start at 06.00 CET Sunday morning, and can be watched live on the Asian Le Mans Series’ Youtube channel.
