Grapevine: Piquet on pole for kart race

The son of a three-times Formula One world champion, Piquet heads a trio of Brazilians at the front of the grid for Sunday's two races, the same three drivers who completed the podium of last year's event.

Speaking after qualifying, Piquet said: "Everything worked fine. My equipment was good, I did a great lap and the mood here is awesome. But it is not over yet. There will be two races and anything can happen."

Behind Piquet are 2007 GP2 runner-up Lucas di Grassi and Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa.

Behind Massa is another Ferrari driver, seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, followed by former Jaguar and Prost driver and Ferrari tester Luciano Burti.

Honda Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello will start seventh, while 2004 IRL champion Tony Kanaan will line-up 15th, just ahead of motorcycle racing veteran Alex Barros and Ferrari Formula One tester Luca Badoer.

At the rear of the grid will be 2000 and 2001 Champ Car champion and 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran.

The champion of the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs will be decided by aggregate points scored over a two-race format, which will include a GP2-style reverse grid for the top eight starters in the second race.

Pos  Driver                 Time
 1.  Nelsinho Piquet        41.856
 2.  Lucas Di Grassi        41.972
 3.  Felipe Massa           41.999
 4.  Michael Schumacher     42.058
 5.  Luciano Burti          42.245
 6.  Felipe Giaffone        42.330
 7.  Rubens Barrichello     42.361
 8.  Xandinho Negrão        42.417
 9.  Marcos Gomes           42.773
10.  Thiago Camilo          43.122
11.  Antonio Pizzonia       41.630
12.  Vitor Meira            41.683
13.  Ricardo Zonta          41.742
14.  Enrique Bernoldi       41.801
15.  Tony Kanaan            41.847
16.  Alexandre Barros       41.874
17.  Luca Badoer            41.991
18.  Ricardo Mauricio       42.006
19.  Rodrigo Sperafico      42.028
20.  Tarso Marques          42.190
21.  Popo Bueno             42.357
22.  Caca Bueno             42.360
23.  Roberto Pupo Moreno    42.415
24.  Gil de Ferran          42.612