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Friesacher ends Spa test on top

Patrick Friesacher topped the two-day FIA Formula 3000 Championship test at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in his Red Bull-backed car

In the best of the weather conditions on Saturday morning, Friesacher lapped in 2m06.765s, a whole 1.6secs quicker than Belgium's Bas Leinders in his KTR-run car.

Mark Webber set the fastest time in the afternoon session in his Super Nova machine which was good enough for third overall. The Australian, who lies second in the championship, said: "We went through several things for the race here, and in the end we got quite a good balance with the car. I'm sure qualifying will be different when we come here, but I'm optimistic we can put in a good performance."

His team mate Mario Haberfeld fared less well, however. The Brazilian suffered a big crash at Eau Rouge and destroyed his car, fortunately without injury, and stopped the session 10 minutes early.

Darren Manning (Arden) was fourth quickest, ahead of Antonio Pizzonia (Petrobras), Silverstone winner Sebastien Bourdais and series leader Justin Wilson. The latter was fastest in the wet on Saturday, while his Nordic team mate Tomas Enge was only 17th fastest on Sunday and was also off the pace the day before.

The test included a number of new and old faces at new places. The best of these were local driver Jeffrey van Hooydonk, in for Fabrizio Gollin at Coloni, who was ninth fastest on his first F3000 outing of the year.

Tomas Scheckter, subbing for the injured David Saelens at European Minardi, was 16th quickest. Enrique Toccacelo, who has replaced Dino Morelli at Astromega, was 24th and last.

Patrick Friesacher, Red Bull, 2m06.765s
Bas Leinders, KTR, 2m08.346s
Mark Webber, Super Nova, 2m08.358s
Darren Manning, Arden, 2m08.381s
Antonio Pizzonia, Petrobras, 2m08.396s
Sebastien Bourdais, DAMS, 2m08.481s
Justin Wilson, Nordic, 2m08.667s
Rodrigo Sperafico, Coloni, 2m08.790s
Jeffrey van Hooydonk, Coloni, 2m08.811s
Ricardo Sperafico, Petrobras, 2m08.849s

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