Nicolas Giaffone established the fastest pace during the opening free practice session for the Super Truck Elite category at the newly opened Autódromo Internacional de Chapecó. Driving the #31 Volkswagen Meteor for R9 Competições, the championship leader recorded a benchmark time of 2m16.196s late in the session. The 22-year-old racer from São Paulo, who celebrated his birthday on 6 October, entered the race weekend holding his first match point with an opportunity to secure the crown in Santa Catarina.
Track running on late Friday morning took place at the new 4,004-metre, 12-turn circuit situated in western Santa Catarina, with Copa Truck Be8 BeVant joining the venue's inaugural weekend. Following initial shakedown outings conducted on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, the Elite field became the first class from the truck racing category to turn competitive laps on the layout. Action commenced under damp conditions with light drizzle and an ambient thermal sensation of 19°C, with 19 drivers circulating during the morning.
Jô Augusto Dias recorded the second-fastest time of the session, piloting his Full Time Mercedes-Benz to a 2m18.401s effort. The top three was completed by local contender Felipinho Tozzo in a sister Full Time truck. The Chapecó native, who is the son of Felipe Tozzo, posted a 2m18.697s lap to finish 0.296s behind his teammate and secure a prominent spot in Free Practice 1.
Djalma Pivetta concluded the morning with the fourth-best time behind the wheel of the #21 Iveco S-Way entered by Usual Racing, logging a best lap of 2m18.935s. Ricardo Alvarez placed another R9 Competições Volkswagen among the quickest runners to close out the top five with a 2m19.270s flyer, followed by teammate Marcus Índio. Índio, who made his debut in the category at Curvelo back in September, registered a 2m20.412s lap.
Daniel Kelemen guided his D+ Motorsport Mercedes-Benz to a 2m21.337s lap, followed by Rodrigo Taborda for Vannucci Racing aboard an Iveco at 2m22.112s. Cavaleiro Sports driver Beto Cavaleiro in an Iveco at 2m22.751s and Tiger Team entrant Fabio Luiz in a Mercedes-Benz at 2m24.568s rounded out the ten fastest runners of the session. Scania competitor Regis Boessio turned a 2m24.755s for Boessio Competições, while Thaline Chicoski logged a 2m26.789s in an Iveco for Cavaleiro Sports. Track activity for the Super Truck Elite division resumes on Friday afternoon, with Free Practice 2 scheduled for 12:50.
Sources: Nic Giaffone lidera primeiro treino livre no Autódromo de Chapecó.
