We’re racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca but having the track named after your brand doesn’t guarantee success – the Mazda prototype team is earning it on merit.

The Mazda squad has shown strong pace the past couple of rounds and that continued this morning. While they led their first ever session overall at Long Beach, this morning they went 1-2 in the prototype ranks for the first time.

Joel Miller led the times with a lap of 1:18.564 with Tristan Nunez only 0.040 behind.

The Michael Shank Racing entry was third fastest – locking out the top three for Le Mans LMP2-style prototypes.

The GTLM ranks has traditionally been a battle between Corvette Racing, BMW Team RLL, Porsche North America, Risi Competizione and newcomer Ford Performance.

However Scuderia Corsa were the ones to watch this morning with Alessandro Pier Guidi topping the times with his Ferrari 488 GTEahead of the No.66 Ford GT and the Risi Ferrari.

In the separate PC/GTD session the Renger van der Zande PC machine was fastest ahead of Colin Braun while Alex Riberas was fastest in the GTD ranks aboard his Porsche.

The Prototype and GTLM ranks return to the track at 2:20pm for their second session followed by PC/GTD at 4:45pm.

Second race in a row that a Mazda Prototype has led the opening practice session. First time to finish 1-2 in prac. pic.twitter.com/stdpUjNxeb

— Mazda Racing (@MazdaRacing) April 29, 2016

#68 GTLM @Ale_PierGuidi @FerrariUSA leading opening FP1 @MazdaRaceway with 1:22.975 #FerrariGTRacing #FerrariFriday pic.twitter.com/AQTT3Gfh0i

— ScuderiaCorsa (@Scuderia_Corsa) April 29, 2016

//www.imsatiming.com/Results/2016/WeatherTech%20Championship/04-MRLS/WeatherTech%20Championship%20(P_GTLM)%20MRLS%20Practice%201.pdf

//www.imsatiming.com/Results/2016/WeatherTech%20Championship/04-MRLS/WeatherTech%20Championship%20(PC_GTD)%20MRLS%20Practice%201.pdf