Lucas Auer remained the quickest man in preparations for the Toyota Racing Series opener at Teretonga, topping both of Thursday’s practice sessions.
The Austrian – a double pole-sitter at the same circuit 12 months ago – had set the fastest time in Wednesday’s opening action and topped the opening of Thursday’s sessions from Jann Mardenborough. The Welsh gamer-turned-racer continues to impress ahead of his single-seater race debut, pipping F3 star?Alex Lynn to second spot.
Defending series champion Nick Cassidy was fourth ahead of Brazilian pairing Bruno Bonifacio and Pipo Derani.
Auer lowered his best time further in the second session, with Giles teammate Felix Serralles getting closest to him this time around with Lynn and Cassidy cementing their places in the top four. Kiwi Damon Leitch was fifth ahead of Derani, Mardenborough and Steijn Schothorst.
Bonifacio and Dennis Olsen meanwhile crashed out early in the second session.
Three more 30-minute sessions are scheduled for Friday.