Collins and Pizzonia enjoy private battle
Ben Collins pipped series leader Antonio Pizzonia in a thrilling battle for British Formula Three pole position at Brands Hatch
Carlin Motorsport's English driver held the advantage initially only for rising Brazilian star Pizzonia to push him down to second place. Collins responded brilliantly to retake pole by 0.144s around the sweeping Grand Prix circuit.
The duo were in a class of their own, 0.7s faster than Brands specialist Narain Karthikeyan. His team-mate and title contender Tomas Scheckter lost third on the grid when he had his best time disallowed for a yellow flag infringement. He will start ninth.
Takuma Sato crashed twice but still qualified fourth, just ahead of Andrew Kirkaldy and Milos Pavlovic, who outqualified RC team-mate Nicolas Kiesa.
Gary Paffett's habitual dominance of the Scholarship Class continued, 1.4s quicker than nearest rival Craig Fleming.
Qualifying times from Brands:
1 Ben Collins Carlin Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m18.891s
2 Antonio Pizzonia Manor Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m19.035s
3 Narain Karthikeyan Stewart Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m19.610s
4 Takuma Sato Carlin Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m19.826s
5 Andrew Kirkaldy Team Avanti Dallara-Speiss Opel 1m19.894s
6 Milos Pavlovic RC Motorsport Dallara-Speiss Opel 1m20.001s
7 Michael Bentwood Fortec Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m20.050s
8 Andy Priaulx Promatecme Dallara-Renault 1m20.117s
9 Tomas Scheckter Stewart Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m20.226s
10 Nicolas Kiesa RC Motorsport Dallara-Speiss Opel 1m20.317s
11 Martin O'Connell Rowan Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m20.517s
12 Matt Davies Promatecme Dallara-Renault 1m20.545s
13 Gianmaria Bruni Fortec Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m20.673s
14 Westley Barber ADR Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m20.682s
15 Gary Paffett Fred Goddard Racing Dallara-Renault 1m20.898s
16 Juan Manuel Lopez Manor Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m21.156s
17 Warren Carway Rowan Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m21.776s
18 Tor Sriachavanon ADR Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m21.836s
19 Craig Fleming ME Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m22.378s
20 Ryan Walker Diamond Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m23.000s
21 Christian Columbo Rowan Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m23.013s
22 Atsushi Katsumata Team Meritus Dallara-Toyota 1m23.166s
23 Mark Mayall Diamond Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m24.098s
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