The TC America Powered by Skip Barber field stepped up to the plate for a fast-paced qualifying session early Saturday morning, with clear skies and cool temperatures laying the foundation for an intense 15-minute sprint for the top spot. As they set off to complete their flying laps, the drivers approached the rolling Virginia hills with prowess and determination.
TCX
Lucas Catania set the pace early in the TCX class, rising to the top of the leaderboard once again in his No. 26 Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS (Cup), but was soon challenged by Colin Garrett in the No. 44 Rooster Hall Racing BMW M2 CS (Cup). The two had been neck-and-neck throughout the prior practice sessions, and continued to exchange fastest laps back and forth.
Soon enough, Maddie Aust and Dai Yoshihara also added their names into the conversation as they fought for the best times in their respective No. 09 Fast Track Racing BMW M2 CS (Cup) and No. 99 VGRT Honda Civic Type-R TCX.
In the end, it was Lucas Catania who set the time that simply could not be touched, breaking through the 2-minute lap mark with a best overall time of 1:59.816. Maddie Aust followed in second place just 0.267 seconds behind, with Colin Garrett lining up third. The fourth and fifth spots on the grid will be occupied by Dai Yoshihara and Joseph Catania in the No. 24 Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS (Cup).
TC
It was Celso Neto whose name was at the top of the timing sheet for the majority of the session, putting his No. 7 Skip Barber Racing School Honda Civic Type-R in the perfect position. However, after claiming the top spot in both practice sessions, Jeff Rica was eager to do the same in qualifying and executed on his vision, moving his No. 78 Genracer / Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TC up into pole position in the final minutes, displacing Neto to second in the process.
Teammates Cristian Perocarpi and Clayton Williams will line up third and fourth on the grid for Race One later today in their No. 37 and No. 60 MINI JCW Team Mini JCW Pro TC. Sally McNulty will be commandeering her No. 780 Genracer / Ricca Autosport Hyundai Veloster N DCT TC from fifth place.
TCA
Spencer Bucknum took the lead early in the session in his No. 5 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Si FE1 and maintained it all the way to the checkered flag, establishing over a half a second gap to the next closest time behind him in the process.
The TechSport Racing teammates had a strong qualifying session as well, with Devin Anderson and Shaoyi Che qualifying their No. 22 and No. 23 TechSport Racing Subaru BRZ in second and fifth place, separated by William Lambros in third position in his No. 77 Skip Barber Racing School Honda Civic Si FE1, and P.J. Groenke in fourth place in his No. 62 MINI JCW Team Mini JCW.
LET’S GO
The series will be back on track for Race One at 11:15 a.m ET, followed by Race Two on Sunday at 9:50 a.m ET. Fans can follow progression with Griiip Live, live timing. The studio makes it easy to follow class battles, lap times, and pit strategy for the five SRO America series. Stream the races live on the YouTube page, GT World or join the conversation on Twitch with Daniel Gilligan.