Karim Ojjeh (#2 Boutsen Ginion BMW M6 GT3) dominated the first Blancpain GT Sports Club free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps, setting a blistering time of 2:23.779, two seconds ahead of Mario Cordoni (#70 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3). Klaus Dieter Frers (#3 Artega Rennsport Ferrari 488 GT3) edged Stephen Earle (#111 Kessel Racing Ferrari 488 GT3) by less than half-a-tenth in the Iron Cup.
Championship leader Karim Ojjeh was fast from the off, jumping to the top of the timesheets by more than three seconds early in the session. Behind him, Mario Cordoni and Patrick Van Glabeke (#488AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3) traded fast laps, with the Italian moving ahead of the Belgian late in the 30-minute session.
Another driver who impressed in Saturday morning’s practice was Jürgen Häring (#66 Herberth Motorsport Porsche 991 GT3 R), who occupied second for the opening 15 minutes, before dropping to fourth later on.
Off the back of another strong weekend which sees him lie third in the standings, Coach McKansy (#17 HP Racing International Lamborghini Huracan GT3) continued his fine form to go fifth, just 0.002 seconds behind his fellow German.
After missing the last round at Misano, Christian Hook (#33 Rinaldi Racing Ferrari 488 GT3) returns to the Blancpain GT Sports Club this weekend and immediately showed promising pace, going sixth quickest around the 7.004 km circuit.
Next, Klaus Dieter Frers and Stephen Earle battled it out for the best Iron Cup challenger, with the German holding onto first in class and seventh overall, with his American counterpart ending the session in eighth.
AF Corse’s Louis-Philippe Soenen (#50 Ferrari 488 GT3) rounded out the Iron Cup top three, with his time good enough for 13th overall at his home event.
Next up is second free practice, before the drivers prepare for the 20-minute qualifying run and Qualifying Race this afternoon. Follow live timing on the Blancpain GT Sports Club website, with regular updates on Twitter and Facebook.
