The longstanding rivalry between Aston Martin Racing and Corvette Racing continued in the first practice session for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aston Martin claimed the top spot in the GTE Pro class with the No. 99, while the yellow No. 64 Corvette was second on the time sheet.

Surprisingly, a team of Le Mans rookies turned the fastest lap in the four-hour session. The No. 99 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE of Alex MacDowall, Fernando Rees, and Richie Stanaway set the pace at 3:55.895.

Corvette Racing’s pursuit of an eighth class win at Le Mans was off to a fast start as the No. 64 Corvette C7.R of Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, and Jordan Taylor was second in the premier GT class at 3:57.539. The No. 63 Corvette C7.R of Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen, and Ryan Briscoe completed the 8.47-mile circuit in 3:58.501 to claim the fifth spot.

The No. 97 Aston Martin “Art Car” with its eye-popping graphics was third at 3:58.448 in the hands of veterans Rob Bell, Stefan Mucke, and Darren Turner.

The No. 92 Porsche 911 RSR of Wolf Henzler, Frederic Makowiecki, and Patrick Pilet was the quickest of the rear-engine contingent with a fast lap at 3:58.469.

Aston Martin also reigned in the GTE Am class as the No. 98 Aston Martin Vantage GTE driven by Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, and Le Mans rookie Mathias Lauda ran the quickest lap at 3:58.783. With back-to-back wins in the first two rounds of the World Endurance Championship series, the No. 98 comes into Le Mans with momentum.