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Pizzonia takes pole in wash-out

The grid for the third round of Superleague Formula at Donington Park has been set by the results of the first two group sessions, rather than the knock-out phases, due to heavy and persistent rain that flooded the track

Antonio Pizzonia of Corinthians will start from pole position, ahead of Davide Rigon of Olympiakos.

Only one quarter final actually took place, when Pizzonia defeated Yelmer Buurman (Anderlecht) and was well up on the Dutchman before he spun at the Esses.

Buurman even spun on his in-lap, such were the horrendous track conditions due to incessant rain. Qualifying was suspended, and eventually cancelled as conditions failed to improve.

In the group stages of qualifying, Pizzonia topped the 'A' session from Max Wissel (Basel), John Martin (Rangers) and Roma's Jonathan Kennard (despite a big spin exiting the Esses) - the top four covered by just 0.067s.

The cars were released onto a dry track on slick tyres, but rain arrived halfway through, and practice pacesetter Esteban Guerrieri of Sevilla, who was first out of the pits, just missed the window to set a fast-enough time.

The Zolder winner will start ninth.

Another big scalp failed to make it into the top four in Group B, when series leader Adrian Valles of Liverpool failed to make the knock-out phase.

Last year's champion driver Rigon was quickest in a session that was wet throughout, ahead of Giorgio Pantano (AC Milan), Craig Dolby (Tottenham Hotspur) and Yelmer Buurman (Anderlecht). Valles will start 10th.

Pos  Driver             Team                Time
 1.  Antonio Pizzonia   Corinthians         1m22.868s
 2.  Davide Rigon       Olympiacos          1m32.414s
 3.  Max Wissel         FC Basel            1m22.907s
 4.  Giorgio Pantano    AC Milan            1m33.110s
 5.  John Martin        Rangers             1m22.948s
 6.  Craig Dolby        Tottenham Hotspur   1m33.660s
 7.  Jonathan Kennard   AS Roma             1m22.953s
 8.  Yelmer Buurman     Anderlecht          1m33.923s
 9.  Esteban Guerrieri  Sevilla FC          1m23.036s
10.  Adrian Valles      Liverpool           1m34.551s
11.  Enrique Bernoldi   Flamengo            1m23.067s
12.  Tristan Gommendy   FC Porto            1m34.687s
13.  Ho-Pin Tung        Atletico Madrid     1m25.141s
14.  Nelson Panciatici  Olympique Lyonnais  1m34.727s
15.  Dominick Muermans  PSV Eindhoven       1m26.199s
16.  Kasper Andersen    FC Midtylland       1m35.095s
17.  Scott Mansell      Galatasaray         1m26.623s
18.  Pedro Petiz        Sporting            1m36.933s

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