EU 2000: Spa qualifying notes

Speed Snatches Pole

Sensational qualifying session, with Scott Speed once more treating us to a superb performance as he took pole position for this weekend's single Eurocup FR 2000 race at Spa. On Friday, the young American from the Motopark Oschersleben team leapt ahead of the other 37 drivers, snatching pole in an incredible last gasp effort.

Fast out of the traps, Speed looked untouchable again, putting in the quickest time on his very first timed lap. Not to be outdone, Clairay, Kochem and Kofler all upped the pace, only for Simon Pagenaud to further upset the order. The Frenchman, though not exceptionally fast in morning practise, had been waiting patiently before taking to the track.

And he needed only one warm-up lap before lighting the fuse and rocketing to the top of the grid and ahead of championship rival Speed. Then just seconds before the end of the session, Speed came back out for one last attempt. In an amazing display, the American reclaimed pole position with a lap of 2'19''921: almost 8/10ths faster than his previous time. Pagenaud will therefore start in second place, followed by Kochem, Fleming and Clairay. And with the two championship leaders leading the pack, get ready for the drag race into turn one.

<pre> Results

1   Scott Speed              02'19"921
2   Simon Pagenaud           02'20"352
3   Pascal Kochem            02'20"361
4   Colin Fleming            02'20"435
5   Yann Clairay             02'20"648
6   Dominique Claessens      02'20"657
7   Reinhard Kofler          02'20"775
8   Michael Ammermüller      02'20"814
9   Patrick Rocha            02'20"975
10  Romain Grojean            02'20"995

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