Last year's number 5 Mustang FR500C from Blackforest Motorsports crashed heavily on Thursday. Driver Ian James was unhurt. "I went out for five laps, and turned the fastest lap -- three-tenths faster than anyone else," James said. "I was turning into Turn 1, and found I had zero brakes. I hit the wall head-on at about 120 mph."

James said the car sustained substantial damage, but added, "We'll be here with a car of some form." Good to their word, their number 2 car was on track for the Friday workout.

Canadian Valerie Limoges, made her public debut at the wheel of a Grand Am Mustang. Despite being a second behind co-driver, David Empringham, the team is pleased with her progress.

"Valerie's been very impressive, she's been picking up in every session," according to James. "She did quite a lot of testing for us, and she's up to speed in the car. Now, she's learning the tracks as we go along. All three of our cars have been atop the charts at some time in the session. That's very encouraging."

Even after the implementation of a thirty percent intake restrictor plate rule by Grand Am cup officials. The FR500C's are still proving to be a strong contender for the upcoming season.

Photos courtesy of Grand American Series