IMSA: Fisichella/Kaffer Ferrari takes Oak Tree GP pole

Ferrari driver Pierre Kaffer edged BMW's Bill Auberlen in a closely fought qualifying for the GTLM-led TUDOR United SportsCar round at Virginia International Raceway.

With the VIR event not featuring the TUDOR Championship's usual flagship Prototype class, the GTLM and GTD divisions have center stage for a rare standalone race.

Auberlen was quickest at the beginning of the 15-minute session in the Rahal Letterman Lanigan-run BMW Z4, but great pace from Bryan Sellers then bumped the Falken Porsche 911 up to first, 0.4sec ahead.

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Auberlen and Sellers continued to jockey for the quickest time, but it was close across the whole field as the top eight were soon all within 0.6sec. Kaffer snatched a time 0.256sec quicker than Auberlen in the closing minutes in his Risi Ferrari 458 to take pole for himself and co-driver Giancarlo Fisichella, while Marc Goossens came from seemingly nowhere to quietly qualify third in the lead SRT Dodge Viper.

"It's not so easy to just step in the car, like at a track here at VIR, where it is important to drive really on the right line," said Kaffer. "The guys did a fantastic job after this morning's incident, and this was one of the best cars I've ever had."

Muller was quick enough for fourth in the second BMW, having briefly been second, while SRT man Jonathan Bomarito was pleased to set a time 0.009sec ahead of championship leader Antonio Garcia. Only eight points separate the Corvette and Viper crews in the drivers' standings.

For Garcia to even make it into qualifying was a remarkable achievement by Corvette. His co-driver Jan Magnussen was involved in a heavy practice crash when both he and Porsche driver Richard Lietz went off at the first corner in quick succession on fluid dropped by another car.

The Corvette slammed into the side of the Porsche. Lietz was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, with an IMSA statement describing him as awake and alert.

Magnussen was checked in the track's medical center and will be examined again on Sunday morning before getting clearance to race.

"What we witnessed today in the two hours and 20 minutes from when the Corvette Racing team got back a car that seemed unraceable to bringing it out for qualifying, and turn laps consistent with those that qualified on top, is one of the most amazing and proud moments I can remember," said Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan, "There are moments in life that make you immensely proud. These guys are simply unbelievable."

Early pole contender Sellers finished a disappointing seventh after he looked to have the pace to challenge for pole, with Michael Christensen and Tommy Milner completing the GTLM runners.

In the GTD class, James Davison qualified on pole in the TRG Aston Martin, 0.297sec ahead of second quickest Leh Keen in the Alex Job Porsche 911.

"We went through hell and back after last weekend," said Davison, who now shares the class lead in poles with Spencer Pumpelly with two each. "We've been working non-stop, and we even missed the first practice yesterday. The team really did a great job and we finally got out halfway through yesterday's second practice. I feel comfortable with the way it's setup. It's nice to win the pole, but it's more important to have a good day tomorrow."

Championship leader Townsend Bell could only manage 14th quickest, 1.3sec behind Davison, after a shunt in practice caused the AIM Ferrari to join the GTD qualifying session late.

The PC class has a pair of standalone races at VIR. Sean Rayhall took pole by a second in the 8Star entry he shares with Luis Diaz. The first race takes place on Saturday afternoon.