Reiter and Heico fastest in Free Practice Sessions

First Free Practice

The nr24 Reiter Engineering Lamborghini of Albert von Thurn und Taxis and Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof set the fastest time in the first session at Zandvoort. The German driver was just 0.078s faster than the nr4 Graff Racing Mercedes Benz SLS of championship contender Philippe Giauque and new co-driver Thomas Jaeger. The nr 46 AEVITAE Bleekemolen Racing Porsche of Zandvoort specialists Ronald and Dennis Van de Laar was 3rd quickest, the Father and Son team setting a time of 1:41.095.

Championship leaders Francesco Castellacci and Federico Leo were 8th fastest in the nr50 AF Corse Ferrari 458.

The second Free Practice session is due to start at 15:15 (local) 

Second Free Practice

The nr45 Heico Motorsport Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG of Patrick Hirsch and Christiaan Frankenhout was the quickest car in the second 60-minute Free Practice session of the Zandvoort weekend. Hirsch was joined by Dutchman Frankenhout as a last minute replacement for Filip Sladecka after the Slovakian was too ill to drive this morning. Hirsch posted a best time of 1:40.382, just 0.004s ahead of Championship leaders Federico Leo and Francesco Castellacci in the nr50 AF Corse Ferrari and 0.075s ahead of the Faster Racing by DB Motorsport BMW Z4 of Nick Catsberg and Harrie Kolen.

Championship contenders Philippe Giauque and Mike Parisy were 4th and 5th respectively in the nr4 and nr3 Graff Racing Mercedes SLS, just 0.1s behind the leading car.

The time set by the nr45 Mercedes was 0.4s slower than the time set by the nr24 Reiter Lamborghini in the morning session.

The top 19 cars were separated by less than one second.

The nr8 and nr9 LMP Motorsport Aston Martins missed both Free Practice sessions after suffering engine problems.  Maxime Martin and Gael Lesoudier (nr9 LMP Motorsport Aston Martin DBRS9) are currently 3rd overall in the championship, just 16 points behind Federico Leo and Francesco Castellacci but will have to go into qualifying tomorrow morning without any time to set up the car.

Qualifying for Rounds 11 & 12 will take place at 10:05 (local time) on Saturday 15 October.

2011-10-16
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