- Kyle Loh, LA Honda World Racing, fastest in TCX
- Hurczyn and VGRT earn top spot in TC
- Bucknum, Skip Barber Racing tops TCA
- Results | Tickets
Avondale, Louisiana - The TC America Powered by Skip Barber took over the Bayou this morning under clear skies. Thursday’s test sessions were plagued with rain, causing a forced delay to the day’s on-track activities. The hot and humid weather didn’t stop the 21 cars at NOLA Motorsports Park from tackling the 2.75-mile, 16 corners, famous Louisiana circuit.
Though a red flag briefly stopped the session, drivers still managed to clock in important track time for the first official Practice Session of the second round.
TCX
Lucas Catania set the pace early in the session, commanding his No. 26 Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS (Cup). However, with less than 20 minutes remaining to the session, Sonoma Race Two winner Kyle Loh topped the charts aboard his No. 73 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Type-R TCX, and remained the fastest car on the track until the checkered flag.
Japanese sensation Daijiro (Dai) Yoshihara was only a mere 0.385 off Catania in his No. 99 VGRT Honda Civic Type-R TCX. Lucas Catania was bumped to third place with only 0.507 separating him from the first position. Rounding up the Top Five was Sonoma Race One winner Colin Garrett (No. 44 Rooster Hall Racing BMW M2 CS (Cup)) and Joseph Catania in his No. 24 Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS (Cup).
TC
It was a heated battle in the TC class, with Michael Hurczyn storming to the front of the field as he commandeered the No. 8 VGRT Honda Civic Type-R down the winding track. With just 10 minutes remaining in the session, it appeared as though Hurczyn would remain untouchable. However, Jeff Rica was hot on his tails and eager to catch up on board his No. 78 Genracer / Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TC. He continued to push lap after lap but it was ultimately Hurczyn that held on to the best time, with Ricca slotting in behind in second, separated by a mere 0.251 seconds.
Celso Neto rounded off the top three in the No. 7 Skip Barber Racing School Honda Civic Type-R, as the Brazilian began to close the gap to the leaders ahead in the final minutes of the session.
TCA
Spencer Bucknum quickly powered to the top of the TCA leaderboard with his No. 5 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Si FE1, remaining in the top spot for the majority of the first practice session before Canadian driver P.J. Groenke began to raise a challenge on board his No. 62 MINI JCW Team Mini JCW. The two exchanged fastest lap times and went back and forth on the charts before Bucknam secured the fastest lap time in class with a 1:58.377, which he set on his final flying lap. Bucknum quickly established himself as one of the ones to watch this weekend as he built up a 0.981 second buffer ahead of the next-fastest time.
Mario Biundo managed to break through in the final stage of the session and rise above in his No. 7 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Si, sitting just behind Bucknum in second position, with Groenke rounding off the Top 3.
Up Next
Practice Two starts at 2:30 PM CT, Race One takes place Saturday, April 29 at 1:55 PM CT, and Race 2 Sunday, April 30 at 8:30 AM.
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All race sessions are streamed live on the GT World YouTube page. Join Ash Vandelay on Twitch by following the SROMotorsports channel. Vandelay hosts six-hour programs Saturday and Sunday, where she is joined by drivers while chatting with fans and giving an interesting insight into that day's races.
Tickets are on-sale at https://www.showpass.com/sro-nola-motorsports-park/ with enhanced offerings including the Patriot Car Corral, recently announced car show – NOLA Motor Showoff presented by The Bomb Factory – and trackside camping. Starting at just $10, its fun for the whole family with kids 12 and under free with paid adult.