Friday was a tough one for the team of the No. 15 Zytek Engineering Zytek 04S, but a crash in morning practice was not enough to stop Hayanari Shimoda form taking the pole for the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

The morning's hour-long practice session was nearly over when the Zytek and a GT2-class Porsche got together in turn two. The Zytek was sent off track, and upon backing up the car was hit by van der Steur Racing's P2 entry. The two cars were stopped on course, ending the session with a red flag instead of a checkered.

The Zytek team got to work fixing the right rear suspension and rear bodywork. The car was back in top shape, and Shimoda turned his fast time of 1:10.781 on his second lap of P1 qualifying. Shimoda is co-driving the Zytek with Tom Chilton.

This is myself and Hayanari's first time at this circuit, explained Chilton. Our first laps around the circuit were probably the most exhilarating we've had around any circuit. We had a lot to learn but we both got out of the car with a big smile on our faces. It's an awesome circuit.

The No. 1 ADT Champion Racing Audi R8 of JJ Lehto and Marco Werner will also start on the front row, thanks to fast time of 1:11.769. The time was fast enough for the outside pole, but is still a full second off of Zytek's time. Still, the Petit Le Mans is a long race and the Zytek had troubles in its first event, a much shorter ALMS round at Mid-Ohio. Audi, on the other hand, has proven that they can go the distance.