The Risi Ferrari drives through the shadows at Long Beach. Photo credit: Rick Dole

The American Le Mans Series teams have the dubious honor of being first on track when the Long Beach Grand Prix practice begins early Friday morning.

Why dubious? Well, the first practice session on a street circuit tends to stir up all of the dust, sand, and small stones that are part of street circuits and the related pre-race construction.

That means the high down force ALMS prototypes like Aston Martin, Highcroft HPD, Cytosport Porsche, Drayson Lola and others will become the world’s most expensive street sweepers for the first 15-20 minutes of green flag practice as the 1.97 mile circuit “cleans up.” 

The ALMS first practice session runs from 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.  

The teams will return to what is expected to be a very different track surface for a second practice at 5:00 p.m., followed immediately by ALMS qualifying.