The tight city streets of Baltimore served up its share of excitement in both the GT and the GTC class in the American Le Mans Series today with lost wheels, exclusions and contact.

The most incredible moment of the day happened to GTC class Porsche driver Jeroen Bleekemolen who lost a wheel on his out lap.

While most drivers might accept that would be the end of their session (you can’t change tires during the qualifying), the Dutchman simply pulled up his car next to the errant wheel, got out of the car, picked up the wheel and put it inside the car, then drove back to the pit lane on three wheels.

His crew re-fitted the tire and sent him on his way – back on track to grab the class pole with his first flying lap !

In the GT class, Dirk Werner scored pole for BMW in the car he is sharing with Bill Auberlen. Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen put his Corvette second on the grid – the Dane driving with regular teammate Oliver Gavin.

However, for Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche driver Patrick Long and Risi Ferrari pilot Jaime Melo – the session wasn’t ideal. Both were excluded from qualifying for “unjustifiable risk” and will be forced to start from the back of the grid tomorrow.

Click the PLAY button below to listen to Jeroen Bleekemolen’s amazing GTC class qualifying tale at the Baltimore Grand Prix

[powerpress url=”//www.michelinracingusa.com/wp-content/uploads/bleekemolen_balt_9_2_11.mp3″]