Heylen Heads Michelin Pilot Challenge Practice

Jan Heylen sent a reminder that he’s still a threat for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge championship, setting the best overall and Grand Sport (GS) class lap in Friday’s opening practice at VIRginia International Raceway.

Heylen laid down a lap of 1 minute, 52.819 seconds (104.343 mph) in the No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport to take honors for the day on the 3.27-mile road course. Heylen sits third in GS points heading into Sunday’s Virginia Is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix, 80 points in arrears of No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 co-drivers Bill Auberlen and Dillon Machavern.

Robin Liddell was second quick in practice at 1:53.147 (104.041 mph) in the No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R. Auberlen ranked fourth in the No. 95 BMW.

A second Michelin Pilot Challenge practice starts at 8:45 a.m. ET Saturday. Qualifying is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, with the two-hour race later that day at 2:10 p.m. The race will air live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold and IMSA Radio.