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GT Daytona (GTD)
The GT Daytona cars are enhanced (not defined by) technology and utilize the global FIA GT3 specification. The GTD class consists of cars from leading manufacturers such as Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Loris Spinelli turned intermittent conditions into his first pole position and a track record.
Spinelli maneuvered through the tricks of a Watkins Glen International circuit that was both wet and dry Saturday to win the Motul Pole Award in the GT Daytona (GTD) class for Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
His last-minute lap of 1 minute, 44.430 seconds (117.207 mph) around the 11-turn, 3.4-mile circuit put the No. 78 Forte Racing Powered by US RaceTronics Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 on the pole for both GT classes (GTD and GTD PRO). It was Spinelli’s first pole in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition and bettered by 0.069 seconds the previous class lap record set by Jack Hawksworth in 2018.
Getting through a wet section of the track’s Bus Stop chicane was key to winning the pole.
“I felt really good with the car,” Spinelli said. “At the beginning, the Bus Stop was wet. We improved in the last minutes, and I pushed really hard to put that lap together.”
Spinelli, who co-drives the Forte Lamborghini with Misha Goikhberg and Patrick Liddy, said he pressed team leaders to let him qualify the car.
“I’m really happy,” Spinelli said. “Thanks to the team for all their hard work. They deserve this position. It’s a good way to start the race.
Aaron Telitz was second fastest in the GTD class and fourth best overall among GT competitors with the 1:45.203 lap (116.346 mph) he recorded in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 he co-drives with Frankie Montecalvo and Parker Thompson. Doriane Pin was third best in class with a lap of 1:45.325 (116.211 mph) in the No. 83 Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 she shares with Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting.