APR: Hidden Valley qualifying summary

Flying Floyd Claims Darwin Pole Position

He left it until the very end of the session, but Peter Floyd has claimed pole position for the opening race of this weekend's racing in the Donut King Australian Performance Car Championship at Hidden Valley Raceway.

Floyd (BP Ultimate HSV GTS) has been among the quick drivers all weekend, ending Friday's practice sessions with the second fastest time. In the thirty minute qualifying session, Floyd set the pace early before Garry Holt (Century 21 Real Estate Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) shot to the top of the times with six minutes to go.

Floyd, though, got the last laugh. A late session flyer of 1:17.1337, set as he crossed the finish line to receive the chequered flag, was enough to edge out Holt by 0.16 of a second. It earns Floyd his first pole position of the season and secures the Victorian a valuable three championship points, reducing the deficit to series leader Mark King to eight.

"I actually thought we had done enough to get pole position the first time I was ahead of Garry," said Floyd. "But he put in a quick one late in the session, so I decided I'd better go back out and get the spot back. The car is liking the track and it feels really good. Hopefully it will hold up for the long race this afternoon."

Holt sat in second place for most of the session, right behind Floyd, but emerged from the pits and shot to the top of the times with six minutes remaining. While Floyd ultimately reclaimed the top spot, Holt was pleased with how the session went.

"I can't complain, the car is very good," said Holt. "We went out with the wrong tyre pressures in the beginning of the session. So I came back in, and we changed the tyre pressures back to what we had yesterday and it was perfect."

Championship leader Mark King qualified with the third fastest time, continuing his solid run of form this weekend.

"We struggled for grip in that session. A CV boot split, spraying grease on a tyre which didn't help," explained King, "so all things considered I'm pretty happy with it. It's going to be a long race this afternoon and it will be pretty punishing around here."

John Falk (Fibreglass International FPV MkII GT) qualified fourth on the grid. The result is the best for the FPV MkII GT in its almost two year racing career. The development of the Donut King Holden Monaro's continues this weekend, with Barrie Nesbitt qualifying fifth aboard the newer of the two cars, and Anthony Alford to line up twelfth on the grid.

Garry Young (Readymix Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) was sixth, ahead of stablemate Barry Morcom (Rondo Building Services Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII). Peter Boylan (AussieHire.com.au BMW M3) was the best the best of the BMW's, in eighth place, ahead of Beric Lynton (Donut King BMW M3), the latter electing to only turn four laps and conserve tyres. Michael Brock (Coopers Pale Ale Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) rounding out the top ten, ahead of Trevor Haines (FordForums.com.au FPV MkII GT), Alford and Lynne Champion (FairwaysGuesthouse.com.au Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII).

Qualifying wasn't kind to Steve Cramp (CVW Engineering HSV GTS), with clutch problems once again rearing their head, eliminating the possibility of the South Australian, who had finished fifth in free practice, setting a competitive qualifying time.

The opening race of the weekend takes place later today, at 4:20pm local time. With 25 laps around the 2.87km circuit, the race will be one of the longest for the teams this year, with the hot Darwin temperatures sure to play a part in proceedings.

For more information on the Donut King Australian Performance Car Championship, visit www.performanceracing.net.au

<pre> Hidden Valley Qualifying Top 6; 1. Peter Floyd HSV GTS 1:17.1377 2. Garry Holt Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1:17.3019 3. Mark King Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1:18.4508 4. John Falk FPV MkII GT 1:18.5577 5. Barrie Nesbitt Holden Monaro 1:18.8690 6. Gary Young Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1:19.0885

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