Cheever Paces Zandvoort Pre-Qualifying in Tempesta Ferrari

Photo: JEP/SRO

Eddie Cheever III topped GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup Pre-Qualifying at Zandvoort for Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing.

The No. 93 Ferrari 296 GT3 led a 1-2-3 for Bronze Cup entries in the one-hour session that capped off the opening day of track running on Friday, as Cheever’s 1:34.049 was 0.066 seconds faster than the No. 1 GRT Grasser Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 of Christian Engelhart.

Dennis Marschall was third in the No. 74 Kessel Racing Ferrari, ahead of the Lucas Auer-driven No. 48 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo that was fastest among the Pro runners.

Marcos Siebert was fifth overall and quickest in Silver Cup aboard the No. 52 AF Corse Ferrari, although that car caused a red flag after 20 minutes of running when co-driver Jef Machiels crashed at Turns 2 and 3.

Dylan Pereira was sixth for Tresor Attempto Racing ahead of the No. 26 Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II driven by Ivan Klymenko.

Luca Engstler slotted into eighth aboard the No. 63 Grasser Lamborghini, while Maxime Martin and Thierry Vermeulen rounded out the top ten for Boutsen VDS and Emil Frey Racing, respectively.

While the crash for the No. 52 Ferrari was the primary interruption of on-track running, a brief second red flag was thrown after the No. 26 Audi spun but was able to rejoin.

Race 1 qualifying, which is next on the GTWC Europe schedule and is planned for Saturday morning, has seen the format revised and has been split into two separate sessions.

In order to alleviate traffic concerns, the Pro and Gold Cup entries will form a group together, while the Silver and Bronze Cup entries have been grouped together for a separate session.

A similar format has also been put in place for Sunday’s qualifying for Race 2.

The revised schedule has seen the start time of qualifying pulled forward to 8:45 a.m CEST (2:45 a.m. EST).

RESULTS: Pre-Qualifying