A debut for René Rast in the 2009 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: With his VELTINS MRS Racing run Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, he takes up Sunday’s race at the sixth round of the world’s fastest international one make race series from pole position for the first time this season. During qualifying on the legendary Grand Prix circuit, the reigning Carrera Cup champion from Germany turned his pole setting lap 0.259 seconds faster than the current points’ leader and Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport pilot Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands). Bleekemolen, as title defender, has already notched up three victories so far this season, whilst René Rast still awaits his first Supercup win.

Lining up on the second row of the grid is local matador James Sutton (Porsche Cars Great Britain), one of the three guest starters from the British Carrera Cup, as well as Richard Williams (SPS Performance). Following them are the two drivers from Walter Lechner Racing School: Stefan Rosina (Slovakia), who last year claimed a surprising third place here in Silverstone, and Damien Faulkner (Ireland), vice-champion of 2007 and 2008.

The fourth row of the grid is shared by the record Supercup winner Patrick Huisman from the Netherlands (SPS Performance) and Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS MRS Racing). Supercup newcomer Matt Halliday from New Zealand (Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport), who currently leads the Rookie Classification, and new entry Lance David Arnold (Germany), who contests the rest of the season in a third 911 GT3 Cup fielded by SPS Performance, round off the top ten on the grid.

René Rast (pole-sitter): “I’m of course very pleased with my first pole this season. Actually, my lap wasn’t 100 percent perfect, that’s why I’m surprised that I came out with such a good time. For sure it could be faster still. But anyway, I’m delighted and hope that it’s enough for victory in the race tomorrow.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen (second qualifier): “I’m totally happy. In the first lap I almost flew off at Becketts, when the rear of my car came around. Luckily I was able to keep the car on the track. So, taking that into account, second is not a bad qualifying result. In Silverstone you normally drive your fastest time in lap one and I was afraid my mistake would have relegated me back down the field. I think things are looking good for us for the race.”

James Sutton (third qualifier): “Third on the grid is a decent result, and one I hadn’t really expected. I wasn’t too far off pole position. My lap was good and I’m very happy of course. Hopefully I can turn it into a good race result.”

Television stations “Eurosport 2” and “Premiere” broadcast the race in Silverstone live on Sunday, 21 June, from 11.30 hours. In addition, “Eurosport” televises highlights in its “Motorsports Weekend” programme on Sunday evening.

1. René Rast (GER), VELTINS MRS Racing, 1:50.967 minutes
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.259 seconds
3. James Sutton (GBR), Porsche Cars Great Britain, + 0.300
4. Richard Williams (GBR), SPS Performance, + 0.517
5. Stefan Rosina (SVK), Walter Lechner Racing School, 0.581
6. Damien Faulkner (IRL), Walter Lechner Racing School, 0,767