ETCC qualifying: Alfas on top

Pole position went to Alfa's lead driver, Fabrizio Giovanardi, the man most likely to take the first title of the reborn championship. The Italian was in mighty form at Enna, lapping half a second quicker than team-mate Nicola Larini, who in turn was the best part of a second up on BMW's Dirk Muller.

Roberto Colciago, who has been drafted in by Alfa to help Giovanardi's title bid, was an impressive fourth, ahead of a pack of 320is that fill the next five places on the grid.

Brit James Hanson was the top non-BMW/Alfa, qualifying his Volvo in 12th. It was a nightmare session for his team-mate Rickard Rydell, who failed to set a competitive time and will start 20th and last.

Tom Ferrier qualified his Alfa 156 14th, while former BTCC production class driver Rob Collard will line up 19th in his Nissan Primera.

Fabrizio Giovanardi Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 1m47.522s
Nicola Larini Alfa Romoe 156 GTA 1m48.065s
Dirk Muller BMW 320i 1m48.904s
Roberto Colciago Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 1m48.932s
Jorg Muller BMW 320i 1m49.209s
Fredrik Ekblom BMW 320i 1m49.458s
Fabrizio de Simone BMW 320i 1m49.580s
Gianluca de Lorenzi BMW 320i 1m49.705s
Jordi Gene BMW 320i 1m50.788s
Eric Cayrolle Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 1m51.245s