By Tarek Ramchani
The streets of Long Beach played host to a thrilling Pirelli World Challenge qualifying session on Saturday. A full field of stars and beautiful GT3 race cars battled for pole position.
Best ranked Audi driver was Mike Skeen in ninth place behind the wheel of the #2 Audi R8 LMS ultra. The CRP Racing driver set a personal best time of 1:20.324. The 2014 series runner-up will be eager to improve on race day and fight for the top spots.
GMG Racing team owner James Sofronas had an unlucky qualifying session. The driver of the #14 Audi R8 LMS ultra was only twenty-first fastest with a personal best time of 1:21.272.
David Welch driving the #21 Audi from GMG Racing was twenty-fifth overall. Jeff Courtney was twenty-eighth was the #99 R8 LMS ultra from JCR Motorsports. GMG Racing' Brent Holden qualified in twenty-ninth postion with the #44 machine. Drew Regitz was thirtieth with the #19 Audi from Stephen Cameron Racing.
Pole position went to Olivier Beretta with #61 Ferrari 458 GT3 from R.Ferri Motorsport. The series points leader was followed by two McLarens from K-PAX Racing with Flying Lizard Motorsport, Robert Thorne was third (#6 650S GT3) and Kevin Estre (#9 650S GT3).
Long Beach qualifying results are here.
The 50-minute sprint race will be held on Sunday after the IndyCar Series event. We wish the best of luck to all Audi teams and drivers.
Photo credit: Motorsport.com
