18.07.2004 Both THE LAMBORGHINI AND FERRARI TEAMS made it safely through the new 'one flying lap' format in qualifying yesterday for the Grand Prix of Sonoma

Twenty five American Le Mans cars hit the track at Sear's Point yesterday in final qualifying for the the sixth annual Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma which takes place later today.

The ALMS organiser's introduced a new form of "single-car" qualifying for this weekend's event. The new qualifying, which was being given a one-race trial at Sonoma, is designed to increase the drama of competition for the fans, as well as giving the drivers more of an opportunity to post their best lap times on a track clear of traffic.

"The American Le Mans Series has always been for the fans, and we have been looking at ways of increasing the excitement for fans during qualifying at our events," said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the ALMS before the qualifying started.

"The system we are introducing this weekend at Sonoma is the result of many hours of research and planning, as well as consultation with our race teams, manufacturers and sponsors. We look forward to seeing the format in action but also stress that this is a one-race trial."

In the GTS category, the field had been swelled to seven cars by the time qualifying proper began. The return of the second Krohn-Barbour Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT, now rebuilt after being written-off on its debut at Mid-Ohio last month, brings the new team up to full strength, while Chevrolet have entered a third factory Corvette this weekend for Boris Said and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhart Jr.

While all eyes were on Earnhart, Oliver Gavin of England, driving another factory Corvette, claimed the GTS class pole with a track record lap of 1:28.042. It was Gavin's third consecutive front of the grid slot this season.

Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell, seeking their fourth straight GTS class win today, will start second in class, in Chevrolet's other regular Corvette C5-R. Fellows was less than two-tenths of a second behind Gavin.

Next up were Said and Earnhart in the third Corvette, with the ACEMCO Saleen S7-R of Terry Borcheller and Johnny Mowlem fourth, just ahead of Tom Weickhardt's Dodge Viper GTS-R.

The Krohn-Barbour Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT drivers had a safe qualifying run. David Brabham placed the no 5 car onto the third row in GTS with a 1:32.039, while Tracy Krohn in the no 6, sharing driving this weekend with Californian Dave McEntree, had a close moment on his way to posting a 1:40.997.

INFINEON GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA: FINAL QUALIFYING TIMES