White sandy beaches, clear blue surf, majestic sunsets, and a gentle tropical island breeze is the backdrop for the 10^th and final round at the inaugural Puerto Rico Grand Prix.

But Randy Pobst and Michael Galati are not letting the idyllic settings unsettle them.  Pobst, who starts the nail-biting finale on the temporary 1.6-mile, 10-turn circuit at Isla Grande Airport, part of the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport complex, 12-points ahead of BMW rival Bill Auberlen, was second fastest to his title rival in both practice sessions today (FRI).

Auberlen’s fastest time of 1min 09.484secs compared to Randy’s 1:09.832secs fastest in his Audi Sport North America supported Audi RS 6 Competition.  Randy can clinch the Driver’s title if he finishes fourth or better in Sunday’s 50-minute race.  Audi trails BMW by just one point following Pobst’s Road Atlanta race win a week ago.  Third place or better, but importantly ahead of BMW, would claim the Manufacturers’ title too.

Pobst will be backed up by outgoing GT Champion Michael Galati who lies ninth in the standings.  Michael set the fourth (morning) and third (afternoon) fastest times – his quickest being a 1:10.008secs in the blazing hot weather.