GT3 Cup: Sebring qualifying report

Cisneros Brothers Take IMSA GT3 Cup Poles for Round 1

""But right now, I’m just really happy for me and for my brother!|Eduardo Cisneros|right

SEBRING, Fl. (March 17, 2011) – Qualifying was a family affair in Sebring today, as Henrique and Eduardo Cisneros earned their first IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama pole positions, ahead of the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Henrique Cisneros moved from Gold Cup to Platinum this season, driving the #26 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car for NGT Motorsport. Earning his first pole position in his first race in the big class was especially gratifying.

“I knew I had to make it count on the first lap,” said Cisneros, “so I didn’t have to do any more laps than I had to and I could save the tires. I was able to get it done on the first lap. The guys behind me have a few more laps on their tires, so I just have to be consistent and try to pull out a gap as soon as possible. But right now, I’m just really happy for me and for my brother!”

Cooper MacNeil (#20 Alex Job Racing) and Mark Bullitt (#6 Muscle Milk Team Cytosport) round out the top three in Platinum Cup.

Eduardo Cisneros stayed in Gold Cup class this season, and judging by his performance in qualifying – despite only arriving at Sebring on Wednesday afternoon – it was a good call.

“I was on vacation and I think that actually helped!” said Cisneros, driving the #29 Porsche for NGT Motorsport. “I was pretty relaxed when I got here, which was good, since I only had one practice. I just tried to remember everything I learned at the winter test. We had some problems in practice so I went out today not knowing if the car was fixed or not and luckily, the team did a great job. I’m thrilled that it’s both of our first pole positions ever!”

Michael Levitas (#36 TPC Racing) and Peter Collins (#4 MGM Motorsports) start behind Cisneros.

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama features semi-professional drivers racing head to head in the largest single-make series in North America. Powered by one of the world’s most successful race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, the multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

The series is divided into two classes; the Platinum Cup, featuring the more powerful 2011 and 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, and the Gold Cup, which includes 2005½ - 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Both classes race on environmentally-focused Yokohama ADVAN ENV-R2 racing tires.

Rounds 2 and 1 are set for Thursday, March 17 at 5:05pm and Friday, March 18 at 4:20pm, ahead of the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

-source: imsa