Heylen’s Triumph at Sebring IMSA Test
The sun rose over the Sebring International Raceway, casting a golden glow on the asphalt as Jan Heylen revved up his engines in the No.34 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3. The seasoned Belgian driver was ready to conquer the first day of IMSA’s Sanctioned Test, and that’s precisely what he did.
Heylen wasted no time in making his mark, setting the fastest time in both of Tuesday’s three-hour test sessions. The morning session saw him clocking in at 2m01.904s, leading the pack with precision and skill. As the day progressed, Heylen only continued to impress, improving his time to a blazing 2m01.737s in the afternoon. He was in a league of his own, the sole driver to break the 2-minute, 2-second barrier over a single lap.
A familiar face in the racing world, Heylen had raced for Conquest at the 2012 Sebring 12 Hours, and it seemed like he had returned to his old stomping grounds with a vengeance. His connection with the team ran deep, having scored his only Champ Car World Series podium with them back in 2007. This triumphant return to Sebring was a testament to Heylen’s enduring talent and tenacity.
Conquest Racing had been a late addition to the entry list for the test, with Heylen and Jaden Conwright stepping in for the team’s regular drivers, Manny Franco and Daniel Serra. The unexpected lineup change seemed to work in their favor, propelling Heylen to the top of the leaderboard in spectacular fashion.
As the roar of engines filled the air, the GTD class showcased its own share of excitement on the track. The No.14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, driven by Ben Barnicoat, set the pace in GTD PRO, with a stellar performance in the morning session. Barnicoat’s co-driver, Aaron Telitz, pushed even further in the afternoon, clocking in at 2m02.829s.
The No.12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus in GTD, though a late entry, did not make an appearance in either session, leaving fans and competitors alike curious about its performance. The unpredictability of racing always keeps everyone on their toes, adding an element of suspense to the proceedings.
In the GTD category, Philip Ellis in the No.57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 claimed the second-fastest time in the morning session, closely followed by Kenton Koch in the No.32 Korthoff Competition Motors Mercedes. The battle for supremacy in this class was fierce, with drivers pushing themselves to the limit in pursuit of victory.
Maximilian Götz made a strong showing in the afternoon session, securing the second spot for the No.32 Mercedes. Scott Andrews in the No.80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes and Russell Ward in the No.57 Mercedes rounded out the top positions, showcasing the competitive spirit that defined the day’s events.
The GTD PRO class saw the Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3s making their presence felt, with Chris Mies and Ben Barker claiming the second and third spots in the morning session, respectively. Barker, returning from a collarbone injury, proved that he was back in top form, setting a blistering pace on the track.
The afternoon session brought new challenges and opportunities for the drivers, with the No.48 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 of Jesse Krohn making a strong impression. Krohn, along with his teammates Dan Harper and Max Hesse, logged an impressive 132 laps, showcasing their endurance and determination.
As the day drew to a close, the roar of engines subsided, leaving behind a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. The upcoming sessions promised even more excitement, with the GTP and LMP2 classes joining the action for three test sessions. The thrill of competition was palpable in the air, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on the track.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges and triumphs, as drivers pushed themselves to the limit in pursuit of victory. The spirit of racing burned brightly in the hearts of all who dared to chase their dreams on the hallowed grounds of Sebring.
