Peugeot driver Stephane Sarrazin claimed pole for the Zhuhai 1000Km, the final round of the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.
Sarrazin beat Peugeot teammate Simon Pagenaud to the top spot by just over a second in what was effectively a one-lap qualifying shootout. Rain started to fall on the Chinese circuit as they completed their first flying laps, which meant neither was able to improve his time.
Sarrazin, who like Pagenaud set his time on intermediate tires, said, "I didn't know I only had one lap, but you always have to push on new tires. There was only a narrow dry line, but I didn't make any mistakes and did a very good lap."
Tom Kristensen ended up third fastest for Audi on slick tires, a further two tenths behind the second Peugeot. He completed one reconnaissance lap on wets before pitting for slicks.
GT1 honors went to JLOC Lamborghini Murcielago driven by Yuhi Sekiguchi. The Japanese driver ended up 1.7 seconds ahead of Pedro Lamy in the Larbre Saleen, the only other car in the class.
Gianmaria Bruni took pole in the GT2 class for the AF Corse Ferrari team. The Italian was three tenths of a second quicker than Richard Lietz in the best of the Felbermayr-Proton Porsches.