Patrick Long, No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche, led GT in Friday morning practice at Long Beach. Photo credit: Rick Dole for Michelin North America

Friday morning’s American Le Mans Series two-hour practice session also marked the first on-track session for all competitors at this week’s Long Beach Grand Prix.

The GT field takes its turn in the spotlight this weekend with 14 of the 31 entrants, from six different car and four different tire manufacturers on display.

Getting the early jump on the fastest time in class was Patrick Long in the No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, lapping the 1.968-mile street course in 1:20.264. That time bested the two Rahal Letterman Lanigan BMWs, which finished second and third in the session at 1:20.522 and 1:20.750, respectively.

After that trio, the times were in the 1:21 and above bracket. Risi’s No. 62 Ferrari F458 Italia was fourth ahead of the No. 4 and No. 3 Corvettes.

Dyson Racing’s Lola Mazda led P1 and overall at 1:16.780, with Guy Smith setting the mark ahead of Lucas Luhr in the Muscle Milk Lola Aston Martin.

Gunnar Jeannette led a quartet of LMP Challenge cars from third to sixth place overall, at 1:19.089. Those four were all faster than the fastest P2 car, Christophe Bouchut in the No. 33 closed-top Lola HPD from Level 5 Motorsports.

A lengthy break follows before the next on-track session, qualifying, which will be held from 5:05-6:20 p.m. Friday evening.