Yesterday was the day of qualifying for ALMS at the Baltimore Grand Prix, and while the cars were supposed to be out on the track early in the morning to practice, that didn’t happen.
So what did happen? Well the track was not finished…yet. Close, but no cigar. So all of the practice sessions for Star Mazda, US F2000, IndyLights, ALMS and IndyCar were just bunched together with very little time between practice, qualifying setup, and then finally qualifying.
But the cars made out quite well, and the American Le Mans Series at the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix proved to be interesting for the fans. So is the timing for the ALMS qualifying session.
Before you get to see the lap times, let me explain to you via American Le Mans’ website what the different classes are and mean:
LMP1:Featuring some of the most technically sophisticated race cars in the world, Le Mans Prototypes are purpose-built racing machines. Multiple manufacturers build and race prototypes including the
diesel-powered Audi R18 and Peugeot 908 along with offerings from HPD, Lola and others. These ultra-engineered racing cars typically produce between 475-575 horsepower, have a minimum weight of 900
kilograms (approximately 1,985 pounds), can accelerate from 0-100 mph in four (4) seconds and reach top speeds near 200 mph. All LMP1 race cars have red Leader Light System race position lights and red
car numbers.
GT: Production-based, moderately modified two-wheel drive race cars comprise the GT class – BMW M3, Corvette C6.R, Ferrari F458 GT, Ford GT-R, Jaguar XKR GT, Lamborghini Gallardo, Panoz Abruzzi and
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The GT cars share many similarities to their showroom brands. With top speeds of up to 180 mph, these elite GTs produce between 450-500 horsepower and have a minimum weight of
1,145 kilograms (2,480 pounds). All GT race cars have green Leader Light System race position lights and green car numbers.
LMPC: The LMP Challenge class features the ORECACourage FLM09 prototype. The race car has a minimum weight of 900 kilograms – without driver and fuel like its LMP brethren – with 430 hp and speeds
up to 170 mph. The FLM09 features a full carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. All LMPC cars will race on single-supply Michelin tires. All LMPC race cars
have yellow car numbers and a single green light at the rear of the car.
GTC: The GT Challenge class features the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. As in GT, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars are based on the road-going Porsche 911 GT3 RS. With 450 hp and top speeds of up to 150 mph,
the minimum weight is 1,205 kilograms (approx. 2,655 pounds). All GTC race cars have orange car numbers and a single green light at the rear of the car.
POS/Class POS/Car #/Class – Drivers – Qualifying time/Manufacturer and chassis
1 1 16 P1 Dyson/Smith 1:27.750 Lola B09 86 Mazda
2 2 20 P1 Al Masaood/Kane 1:27.896 Lola B09/86
3 1 06 PC Jeannette/Gonzalez 1:29.407 Oreca FLM09
4 2 37 PC Marcelli/Drissi 1:29.473 Oreca FLM09
5 3 63 PC Lux/Julian 1:30.407 Oreca FLM09
6 1 55 GT Auberlen/Werner 1:31.362 BMW M3 GT
7 2 4 GT Gavin/Magnussen 1:31.950 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
8 3 45 GT Bergmeister/Long 1:31.992 Porsche 911 RSR
9 4 56 GT Mueller/Hand 1:32.010 BMW M3 GT
10 5 3 GT Beretta/Milner 1:32.224 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
11 3 12 P1 Burgess/McMurry 1:32.587 Lola B06 10
12 6 62 GT Melo/Vilander 1:32.699 Ferrari F458 Italia
13 7 17 GT Henzler/Sellers 1:32.772 Porsche 911 RSR
14 4 05 PC Bennett/Montecalvo 1:32.983Oreca FLM09
15 5 52 PC Dobson/Lewis 1:33.051 Oreca FLM09
16 8 44 GT Neiman/Law 1:33.964 Porsche 911 RSR
17 9 01 GT Sharp/van Overbeek 1:34.151 Ferrari 458 Italia
18 10 99 GT Junqueira/Wilden 1:34.360 Jaguar XKR
19 11 48 GT Miller/Maassen 1:34.609 Porsche 911 RSR
20 12 98 GT Jones/Moran 1:35.911 Jaguar XKR
21 6 18 PC Nicolosi/Boon 1:36.046 Oreca FLM09
22 1 54 GTC Pappas/Bleekemolen 1:36.794 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
23 2 23 GTC Sweedler/Keen 1:37.160 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
24 7 89 PC Ducote/Ducote 1:37.569 Oreca FLM09
25 3 34 GTC LeSaffre/Davis 1:37.917 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
26 13 02 GT Brown/Cosmo 1:38.674 Ferrari 458 Italia
27 4 68 GTC von Moltke/Bunting 1:41.131 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
28 5 77 GTC Potter/Stanton 1:41.462 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
29 4 6 P1 Dumas/Graf -.— — Aston Martin Lola B08 62
30 6 66 GTC Ende/Pumpelly -.— — Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Fastest Drivers:
GT Dirk Werner
GTC Jeroen Bleekemolen
P1 Guy Smith
PC Gunnar Jeannette
Congratulations to Mazda and Dyson for putting their two cars atop the qualifying session and starting first and second, as well as BMW for putting their M3s on first and third in GT.
Race time is set for 4:30 PM ET today, so stay tuned to RawAutos for some live updates of the Baltimore Grand Prix.
