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PAC: Series Sepang qualifying report

Bradley storms to impressive pole for season opener. Kuala Lumpur - Singapore racing driver Richard Bradley (18/Eurasia Motorsport) threw down the gauntlet to the record, 25-strong Formula BMW Pacific field today taking pole position for the ...

Bradley storms to impressive pole for season opener.

Kuala Lumpur - Singapore racing driver Richard Bradley (18/Eurasia Motorsport) threw down the gauntlet to the record, 25-strong Formula BMW Pacific field today taking pole position for the opening races of the 2010 season, and setting the fastest time ever recorded in an official session on the Kuala Lumpur circuit.

After a thrilling duel with 15-year-old guest driver and Formula BMW Junior Carlos Sainz Junior (ESP/Eurointernational), the UK-born Rookie Bradley clocked a lap of 2:09.952 which put him firmly at the top of the time sheets.

Japan's Kotaro Sakurai (15/Eurasia Motorsport) was the quickest Formula BMW Pacific Junior, and one of just four drivers to lap in less than 2 minutes 11 seconds. Sakurai, 12th quickest in yesterday's practice session, was full of praise for his team who had worked hard to improve the car.

Colombian hotshot Oscar Tunjo (Meritus) was third fastest on the 5.543km Sepang International Circuit, but was later penalized five grid places for the start of Round 1 for a coming together with Duvashen Padayachee (19/AUS/Eurasia Motorsport), who finished the session 16th. Tunjo will now start the opening round from the 4th row of the grid, alongside Malaysian Nabil Jeffri (16/Eurasia Motorsport).

Michael Lewis (19/USA/Eurointernational) will now start alongside Sakurai on the second row for the 10 lap opening race, with guest driver Daniil Kvyat (15/RUS/Eurointernational) and Axcil Jefferies (15/ZIM/Motaworld) making up the third row.

Bradley topped the timing sheets almost from the outset and was the first to lap in under 2 minutes 11 seconds, before Sainz Junior took provisional pole on fresh tyres. However, Bradley wasn't done and set his scorching lap with several minutes of the session remaining.

With the drivers' second fastest time setting the grid for Round 2, Bradley is once again on pole with Sainz Junior alongside, and Tunjo and Sakurai making up the second row. Behind them will be Lewis and Malaysia's Fahmi Ilyas (18/E-Rain Racing).

The international field of young drivers, many making their single-seater debuts, acquitted themselves well as they took to the track in anger for the first time, with no major incidents and all qualifying successfully.

Rounds 1 and 2 of the Formula BMW Pacific 2010 season are being held as part of the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend.

Formula BMW Pacific Driver Quotes:

Richard Bradley: "I've had some big poles before, but this! I nearly cried. I remembered what they said, 'keep cool, keep it all together'. I made a small mistake and didn't think it was a great lap, but then when I crossed the line^a I just can't put it into words, I'm so happy!"

Carlos Sainz: "It could have been better, and it was a really tough session. Richard was incredibly fast, especially in the 2nd sector. I did my best, but it was impossible to make pole. But I'm very happy with the team, this my first race and first time at this track, so let's see what happens."

Oscar Tunjo: "My car wasn't damaged during the incident. It was on my second lap with new tyres. I'm happy with my result, and now I'm focusing on the race."

Formula BMW Pacific Junior Kotaro Sakurai: "It's great, and I'm proud of my lap. Before I pitted, the car was very good, but when I went out on my second set of new tyres, I had understeer everywhere. I pushed as hard as I could be the tyres were gone."

-source: fbmw pac

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