18.09.2004 "I think we are strong enough to fight for the podium, and maybe even for the win" post FIA ETCC qualifying reaction from Oschersleben

Augusto FARFUS – AutoDelta Squadra Corse, pole position

"It's always quite hot here, and the long slow corners are normally hard for the Alfas. But this weekend, the car had been good from the first moment on. It was downright perfect in qualifying!

"It was hard to find a clear lap, though. The biggest problem however is that the track is always dirty. Concentration will be important for the races tomorrow, and let’s hope that the heat couldn't become a problem. I think we are strong enough to fight for the podium, and maybe even for the win."

Gabriele TARQUINI – AutoDelta Squadra Corse, 3rd

"I've played a lot with the set-up today. It wasn't very good this morning, but we improved it for the qualifying. I made a mistake in the middle of my second flying lap, which effectively cost me second place.

"The track is a BMW track anyway, though, and I'm happy to be where I am with the 40 kilos on board. The target was to save tyres and aim for a good performance in the races tomorrow.

"I'm the only one of the Alfa drivers who's fighting for the Championship, which is an advantage. Farfus is in a very good position, and he might be able to help me tomorrow."

Salvatore TAVANO – Oregon Team, 8th

“The team has done wonders after Imola, managing to rebuild my car crashed during the second race.

"They put me in a position to have a competitive machine, which was something difficult to expect considering how it was badly damaged.

"Since this morning we have found an excellent set-up, and this enabled us to take the most out of the new tyres in the qualifying session. Now we have to see how things will go tomorrow in the races, after five or six laps.”

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18.09.2004

Brazilian youngster Augusto Farfus was the surprising pole winner as after a strong showing during qualifying the Autodelta Alfa Romeo drivers completely upset the Oschersleben form book

FIA ETCC qualifying action from Oschersleben

AutoDelta's regular guest driver James Thompson was forced to miss the last round of the series at Imola due to clashing British Touring Car commitments. Today at Oschersleben he posted fifth fastest time, ideally positioning himself to assist with Gabriele Tarquini's title aspirations.

FIA ETCC qualifying action from Oschersleben

AutoDelta's Brazilian rookie youngster Augusto Farfus was a somewhat surprising fastest during today's official ETCC qualifying session at Oschersleben, as the Alfa Romeo squad dispensed with the notion that this is a circuit that favours the BMW runners.

FIA ETCC qualifying action from Oschersleben

In the Independent's Cup, the Oregon Team are continuing  their recent run of impressive form, with Salvatore Tavano grabbing class pole position after today's qualifying session, while team mates Luca Rangoni and Michele Bartyan (seen here) wound up with third and fourth fastest times.