Bedfordshire racer Adam Foster has taken pole position for the opening round of the 2009 Formula Palmer Audi Championship. Foster's flying lap was set midway through the eventful session and although Josef Newgarden did everything he could to grab top spot, the talented American had to settle for second with a time just 0.206s behind the poleman: "I just missed out, but I am happy with P2," said Newgarden. "This circuit is really cool and it is everything that I expected it would be. I am learning more and more with each lap so I will be going for pole this afternoon!"

A delighted Adam Foster reflected on his debut pole: "It makes all the hard work and training worthwhile," said Foster. "It's fantastic. I was pretty convinced I would be in the top three, but I really wanted the pole. Now I just need to keep cool in the race and go for the win."

Richard Plant will line up third on the grid for tomorrow's season opener after he pushed early pace setter Kazim Vasiliauskas down to fourth: "I just got stuck in traffic at the wrong times," said Plant.

"I really feel that I could have had pole but the competition is as tough as ever!" Paul Rees and Jose Alonso will line-up fifth and sixth respectively.

The session started in dramatic fashion when expected front runner Tristan Vautier went off at Druids after braking too late at the notorious hairpin. His session was over after just one quick lap and he was soon followed by Tom Duggan who made heavy impact with the barriers on the run down to Graham Hill Bend.

Quick laps were halted for a few minutes due to the yellow flags at Druids, but when normal pace resumed it was Maxime Jousse that set a time good enough for seventh on the grid. Ashley Babbra was eighth and Kenny Andrews pipped Ash Davies to ninth as the two traded times towards the end of the session.

Maria de Villota spun at Clearways whilst on a quick lap and Luca Orlandi also went off at Westfield Bend, but both recovered to set times later in the session.

The second qualifying session of the weekend will take place at 16:05 later today (Friday).