Qualifying: Kane stars in private MG

The Ulsterman, who has yet to complete a lap in an international sportscar race, put in a superb performance to go faster than everyone, bar the two works Audis.

"Third is absolutely fantastic," said ex-British Formula 3 champion Kane, who was a late call-up to the Knighthawk Racing team. "For us to be behind only the works Audi team in a privately run LMP675 car is something really special. I think it should go some way to prove that I'm still a driver to be reckoned with. Hopefully it will help secure a full time drive in the American Le Mans Series for the year ahead. I am keen to get back to a full race schedule."

German Frank Biela shattered his own track record to take pole position for the 50th running of the famous race. "Coming here is always something special," he said. "The 50th just makes it more so. Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta are races that all sportscar drivers want to win."

The second factory Audi of Rinaldo Capello, Christian Pescatori and Johnny Herbert completed the predictable Audi whitewash. Despite Kane's mercurial performance, he was still 2.5sec down on Biela's best time.

Kane is not the only Briton in the top 10. Champion team Audi driver Andy Wallace will line up fifth, while Guy Smith is ninth in his Riley & Scott.

The British Ascari team have qualified 11th, despite Ben Collins only managing one flying lap because of a high oil temperature. He is sharing the car with fellow Brits Christian Vann and Formula 3000 champion Justin Wilson.

Ron Fellows was the fastest qualifier in the GTS class behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, while Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr took the GT pole.

Frank Biela/Tom Kristensen/Emanuele Pirro Audi R8 1m48.029s
Rinaldo Capello/Johnny Herbert/Christian Pescatori Audi R8 1:48.744s
Steve Knight/Mel Hawkins/Jonny Kane MG Lola EX257 1m50.543s
Jan Magnussen/David Brabham/Eric van de Poele Panoz LMP-1 1m50.617s
Andy Wallace/Jan Lammers/Stefan Johansson Audi R8 1m50.797s
Bryan Herta/David Donohue/Bill Auberlen Panoz LMP-1 1m51.076s
Eric Bernard/Emmanuel Collard/JJ Lehto Cadillac Northstar LMP02 1m51.160s
Wayne Taylor/Max Angelelli/Christophe Tinseau Cadillac 1m51.434s
Jim Mathews/Guy Smith/Marc Goossens Riley & Scott 1m51.834s
Fredy Lienhard/Didier Theys/Mauro Baldi Dallara-Judd 1m52.186s