Audi’s McNish fastest in damp darkness

Audi’s Allan McNish posted the fastest time in a damp 90-minute session Thursday night at Sebring International Raceway. The practice may have proven costly however as the No. 1 Audi R10 TDI sustained heavy damage in a crash about an hour into the session with teammate Dindo Capello at the wheel.

Capello was not injured but the extent of the damage wasn’t immediately known Wednesday . The car returned to the paddock missing two wheels with the most of the damage concentrated on the left side of the car. The team continued to inspect the wreckage during the night.

Once again, Audis were 1-2 in a practice session as the No. 2 entry of Emanuele Pirro, Marco Werner and Frank Biela were 0.109 seconds behind. Given the flooding rains that roared through Sebring, teams weren’t concerned about top speeds. Rather they were focusing on getting their drivers the required number of nighttime laps to qualify for Saturday’s race.

After qualifying second in P2 earlier in the day, Highcroft Racing turned in the best time in class during the night session. Stefan Johansson’s lap of 2:02.030 was nearly three seconds better than the Andretti Green Racing Acura ARX as the Series’ newest manufacturer asserted itself in the wet. The first of Penske Racing’s Porsche RS Spyders, the No. 6 car, was third.

Darren Turner was the quickest driver in GT1 for Team Modena. The Brit’s time of 2:18.433 put him well ahead of Corvette Racing’s Corvette C6.Rs, the fastest being the No. 3 entry.

In GT2, Lars Erik Nielsen posted the top time for Farnbacher Loles Racing and Porsche. His 2:18.330 was a half second better than Team Trans Sports’ Porsche. The Ferrari of Corsa Motorsports/White Lightning Racing was third in class.

The next practice for the American Le Mans Series is a 55-minute session scheduled for 9:55 a.m. Friday.