Porsche lept to the top of the times in the opening session today as team’s kicked off their assault on the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR.

New Zealander Earl Bamber stopped the clocks at 1:43.232 – just edging out the Ford GT of Joey Hand by a mere 0.018.

Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia was third fastest ahead of the second Ford of Ryan Briscoe.

Championship leader Tommy Milner was only eighth fastest in the morning session for Corvette Racing.

Today’s fasest time by Bamber compares with the pole time last year of 1:42.532. However the opening practice time in 2015 was slower at 1:43.937.

A new track surface for 2016 is expected to result in quicker times this year.

In the GTD class young star Madison Snow led the times for Paul Miller Racing aboard the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 with a time of 1:45.722.

Cars are back on track at 3:35pm today.

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