Porsche Motorsport North America Junior Development Program driver Travis Wiley used his local knowledge to good effect to top the timesheet in today’s single practice session at the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
The Austin native stopped the clocks at 2 minutes, 8.188 seconds to head the Porche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America times as the series readies to complete its final two rounds of the season in Texas.
This is the second race weekend in a row where the young star has headed a practice session – the Topp Racing driver also going P1 in a session at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“It felt really good to come in first in this morning session. Local knowledge definitely helped. I was able to navigate my way around this place pretty quickly,” Wiley said.
“The car felt good. We just have a few things to work on before qualifying tomorrow.
“Racing here at home, it’s going to be fun seeing all my family and friends.
“After being away for so many events all year, I finally get to show off what I do to my friends and family. So it’s really exciting for me.”
Wiley wasn’t the only surprise rising towards the top of the scoring tower at Circuit of Americas. McElrea Racing newcomer Bayley Hall was second fastest this morning – contesting his third race weekend in succession.
Hall made his series debut at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion, flew home to race at Mount Panorama Bathurst last weekend, and has now returned to the US to finish his two-race American stint.
Hall showed this morning he is getting accustomed to the ABS braking system used in the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America.
“I’m getting much more comfortable with the ABS. Last week, I was at Bathurst in Australia in a Porsche without ABS, so this session this morning was all about getting back used to it, getting back into that flow,” Hall said.
“We were here a month ago for testing with a lot of other teams so it is awesome to be back. It’s such a great event from what I’ve seen on the outside so far, so can’t wait to keep going.”
Alex Sedgwick continued his strong turn of speed for JDX Racing to be third fastest this morning ahead of Wiley’s teammate – New Zealander Ryan Yardley and another local star – newly crowned series champion, Riley Dickinson.
In the Rafa Racing Club Pro-Am class, PJ Hyett continued where he left off at Rennsport where he won the second race of the weekend. Hyett topped the timesheet this morning ahead of NOLASPORT newcomer and Porsche Sprint Challenge by Yokohama racer Kayden Kelly and Chris Bellomo.
In the Am battle, points leader Scott Noble demonstrated he is ready to put this championship beyond doubt. Noble was the fastest Am driver this morning and actually setting a time that was faster than five drivers from the Pro class.
Noble’s team boss and championship rival Mark Kvamme was second fastest ahead of Wright Motorsports’ John Goetz.
Teams will be back on track on Saturday morning for qualifying at 8:35 am before contesting the 40-minute round 15 of the championship from 1:10 pm.
