Sebring: Audi UK Team Veloqx qualifying report

#28: Qualifying Pos - 2nd, 1min 48.821sec, 122.403mph 88: Qualifying Pos - 4th, 1min 49.944sec, 121.153mph

The two Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx R8s start second and fourth on the 41-car grid for the 52nd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday - the British team's debut race.

Allan McNish (GB) qualified #28 in Thursday's 25-minute time trial around the 17-turn, 3.7-mile circuit with Johnny Herbert (GB) at the wheel of #88. McNish's time was just 0.111-secs slower than the ultimate pole time of JJ Lehto (Champion Audi R8).

The "customer" Audi team, bidding to earn Audi its fifth consecutive outright Sebring victory, is using the annual Florida race as a "warm-up" for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Audi R8 - #28

Frank Biela (D). Age: 39. Born: Neuss, Germany. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco:

"I didn't arrive at Sebring until night practice on Thursday after missing my flight -- I'd been testing my Audi A4 DTM in Portugal. Allan and Pierre plus the team have done a good job and I believe I have a realistic chance of scoring my third Sebring victory."

Pierre Kaffer (D). Age 27. Born: Bad-Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Ger. Lives: Burgbrohl, Ger:

"I'm so excited - I cannot wait for the race. The 12 Hours will mark my first race for Audi, first race here at Sebring, first race in a sports prototype, first real endurance race - fantastic! I'm loving the experience and hope I can earn Veloqx a top result."

Allan McNish (GB). Age: 34. Born: Dumfries, Scotland. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco:

"I was on pole from the start until seven minutes to the chequered flag. I went quicker on my very last lap but it wasn't quite good enough. Our car was set-up more with the race in mind than out-and-out qualifying which bodes well for a successful race."

Audi R8 - #88

Jamie Davies (GB). Age 30. Born / Lives: Yeovil, England:

"I only drove an Audi for the first time at Road Atlanta last month and I've been pleased with my performance so far. It's great to drive an Audi here at Sebring - it's an awesome machine. Our R8 has run very well since we began testing here last Friday."

Johnny Herbert (GB). Age 39. Born: Brentwood, England. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco:

"We've been fast since we arrived last week. In qualifying, I set my fastest time early in the session but got bumped down to fourth with three minutes to run. But that's not an issue in a race lasting 12 Hours and I'm certain we'll be strong."

Guy Smith (GB). Age 28. Born / Lives: Beverley, England:

"We'll continue to work on the balance of the Audi in the last practice on Friday. After the heavy rain on Wednesday morning combined with more rubber now on the track surface, we must make detailed set-up improvements for a comfortable race."

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