Battle of Lister and Oreca at Donington

Beretta, driving for Oreca, was two hundredths of a second hehind Bailey's Lister and in the the morning session.

Bailey, who set a time of 1:33.383, said afterwards, 'We've got lots of local knowledge, and should be able to go a bit faster - but not much,' he said afterwards.

Bailey has a busy weekend ahead, as after his stint in Sunday's 125 lap race, he will take a helicopter to Croft, to race in the British GT Championship.

In the afternoon, Beretta and Wendlinger regained the advantage, setting the fastest lap of the day with a time of 1:32.674.

'The car is reliable, and although our penalty weight makes qualifying difficult, our race pace is good enough,' Wendlinger said afterwards.

The Lister was second, having improved to 1:32.937. It was followed by a group of six Chrysler Vipers, led by the Chamberlain Motorsport line-up of Amorim and Seiler.

1997 FIA GT2 Champion Justin Bell has rejoined the Oreca team for this race, driving alongside Jean-Philippe Belloc. They were fourth fastest in both sessions.

'It's a real treat to get back in the car,' he said.

'But as the others drive a lot more, I have to work harder so as not to let the side down.'

The Cirtek Porsche 911 GT2, entering this round with Rob Schirle, Charlie Cox and Jonathan Baker at the wheel, was the fastest Porsche in the afternoon, despite a trip into the gravel for Schirle.

'I only did three laps, and went faster and faster,' Cox said.

'The car feels as if it could lap all day at around 1:37!'