Super Touring: Tarquini in class of his own

The Italian, who raced in the BTCC last year, gave Alfa Romeo-mounted rivals Nicola Larini and Gabriele Tarquini a sound going over in his Honda Accord. He was 0.758s clear of the scarlet 156s on 1m54.676s and didn't even attempt a final run, such was his confidence of the advantage.

"My car is in the same spec as last year, so we know it very well," said Tarquini. "I've impressed myself with how qualifying went. But qualifying at Monza is not that important as overtaking around here is very easy. I'm very 'appy with pole, though."

Larini got the better of his inter-Alfa battle with Giovanardi, lapping in 1m55.434s. His team mate was 0.17s slower than the former Ferrari F1 racer, despite a last-ditch effort to beat him.

"The car is better than last year," said Larini. "I think it will be important to be first into the first corner, because it will be very hard to overtake Gabriele's Honda."

Giovanardi said: "The guys in front are very fast drivers. It's like last year, the competition is very strong. We had a few problems and didn't find a good set-up."

Fabrice Walfisch was fourth fastest in the second JAS-run Honda, but a full 2s slower than his flying team mate. Roberto Colciago was fifth in his Audi A4 Quattro, outpacing the Volvo S40 of Jan 'Flash' Nilsson.

The sting in the tail for Tarquini is that should he win Sunday's opening race, as many expect him to, he must start the second from last position, as the grid will be reversed.


1 Gabriele Tarquini (Honda Accord) 1m54.676s
2 Nicola Larini (Alfa Romeo 156) 1m55.434s
3 Fabrizio Giovanardi (Alfa Romeo 156) 1m55.599s
4 Fabrice Walfisch (Honda Accord) 1m56.752s
5 Roberto Colciago (Audi A4 Quattro) 1m57.101s
6 Jan Nilsson (Volvo S40) 1m57.488s
7 Enrico Toccacelo (Alfa Romeo 156) 1m58.323s
8 Sandro Sardelli (Nissan Primera) 1m58.448s
9 Romana Bernadoni (Alfa Romeo 156) 1m58.479s
10 Massimo Pigoli (Audi A4 Quattro) 1m58.559s