Only 0.221 seconds separated the three fastest entries as a closely contested qualifying session set the grid for today’s opening race of the GT Challenge de las Americas at the South Dakota Circuit.
Juan Diego Hernandez led the way in the number four McLaren 720 GT3 X for NACent Racing, producing a new circuit record of one minute, 10.397 seconds during the final top-10 shootout. Hernandez shares the GTS Turbo entry with Tatiana Calderon.
Solly Betesh and Luis Ramirez secured the other front-row position after recording 1:10.528 in the number 44 GTS car, just 0.131 seconds off the leading time. Gustavo Ortega qualified third with 1:10.618.
Hernandez’s lap lowered his previous circuit record of 1:11.664, which he had established during Friday’s final practice session, by 1.267 seconds.
Will Redford will start fourth after clocking 1:11.256, while Zachary Boodram qualified fifth with 1:11.264. The pair were separated by only eight-thousandths of a second.
William Martin was the leading GTS Light competitor, earning sixth position overall with 1:12.420. Harry Foster followed in seventh with 1:12.760, while Ricardo Vera qualified eighth with 1:13.485.
Guyanese driver Mark Vieira and Tommi Gore advanced to the final shootout but did not record times in Q3. They will start ninth and 10th, respectively.
The qualifying process featured two preliminary sessions, with the 10 fastest cars from the combined results progressing to Q3. Times from the shootout set the first 10 positions, while the remaining places were determined by the earlier combined results.
Marcos Vento will start 11th after recording 1:13.378 in the preliminary stage. The V8 pairing of Alfredo Najri and Jimmy Libre secured 12th with 1:13.607, followed by Carlos Hernandez in 13th.
Guyanese drivers Calvin Ming and Ed Pead qualified 14th and 15th, respectively, while Rameez Mohamed will start 17th in the other GTS Turbo entry.
Danny Harrison was placed at the back of the 21-car grid after his number 1300 car was found to be underweight and was disqualified from qualifying. The starting order remains subject to any additional post-qualifying penalties.
Meanwhile, Daniel Linfoot dominated the CELAC Superbike qualifying session with a best lap of 1:14.884. His time was more than three seconds faster than his nearest rival in the category.
Victor Chavez Dominquez was the second-fastest Superbike rider with 1:18.417, while Matthew Vieira secured third in the class after recording 1:18.786. Kevin Persaud followed with 1:19.164.
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