FIA GT Qualifying: Rydell on pole

In a single lap Superpole shoot-out, Rydell set the benchmark time of 1m30.856s, just seven tenths of a second ahead of Jeroen Bleekemolen's Carsport Holland Viper in second place.

"I'm very, very happy," said Rydell. "The guys have done a really good job on the car. They've worked very hard through the summer. We missed the Spa 24 hours, but we've put in on pole here, which us very nice for the whole team."

Although Bleekemolen's best time from the two qualifying sessions was good enough for pole, the Dutchman couldn't repeat the performance on his Superpole lap and had to settle for second.

Julian Bailey managed to hustle his Lister Storm around the Austrian track in 1m31.350s to take third spot, while Jamie Campbell-Walter finished fifth in the second Lister.

"We are struggling slightly around this track, which doesn't suit us," said Bailey. "We have a good set-up, but the Ferrari's top speed is better."

Christophe Bouchut separated the two Storms in fourth spot in his Chrysler Viper, while Sebastiaan Bleekemolen wound up sixth.

Luca Riccitelli took the N-GT pole in his Porsche 996 GT3-R after putting in a time four tenths faster than Philipp Peter in second place. Jurgen von Gartzen was third while Stephane Ortelli had to settle for fourth in his Freisinger Motorsports Porsche. Brit Tim Sugden was fifth.

"This is a very good situation for us because we've found a very good set-up," said Riccitelli. "It's very important for us to finish all four remaining races this season. I will try my best. My Superpole lap was very clean and I wasn't pushing very much."


Rickard Rydell, Ferrari 550 Maranello, 1m30.856s
Jeroen Bleekemolen, Chrysler Viper, 1m31.007s
Julian Bailey, Lister Storm, 1m31.350s
Christophe Bouchut, Chrysler Viper, 1m31.414s
Jamie Campbell-Walter, Lister Storm, 1m31.476s
Sebastian Bleekemolen, Chrysler Viper, 1m31.520s


Luca Riccitelli, Porsche 996 GT3-R, 1m35.733s
Pilipp Peter, Porsche 996 GT3-R, 1m36.149s
Jurgen von Garten, Porsche 996 GT3-R, 1m36.291s
Stephane Ortelli, Porsche 996 GT3-R, 1m36.394s
Tim Sugden, Porsche 996 GT3-R, 1m36.535s
Sebastien Dumez, Porsche 996 GT3-R, 1m36.579s