Qualifying 1: Courtney on pole

The Australian, who is driving for Carlin Motorsport this year, headed Scholarship Class champion Robbie Kerr by just one tenth of a second around the demanding Grand Prix circuit.

Manor Motorsport's Ronnie Bremer proved the best of the rookies in fourth, while the highly-fancied Richard Antinucci and Heikki Kovalainen were down in ninth and 10th.

Antinucci suffered a major accident at Paddock Hill bend when his Dallara Mugen Honda rolled through the gravel. "It was my fault, I think," said the American. "I was going a bit too fast but all the guys are working on the damage so we should be OK. The car is not too bad."

The second session, which decides the grid for Monday's second round, takes place this afternoon (Saturday) at 3.20pm.

James Courtney Carlin 1m18.726s
Robbie Kerr Docking 1m18.859s
Ernani Judice Promatecme 1m18.999s
Ronnie Bremer Manor 1m19.044s
Mark Taylor Manor 1m19.068s
Rob Austin Menu 1m19.130s
Michael Keohane Carlin 1m19.168s
Bruce Jouanny Promatecme 1m19.204s
Richard Antinucci Manor 1m19.330s
Heikki Kovalainen Fortec 1m19.462s

Billy Asaro Sweeney 1m20.071s
Adam Carroll Sweeney 1m20.184s
Clivio Piccione T-Sport 1m20.339s