Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing will begin the new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season from the second row of the grid in the LMGTE Am class after a close qualifying session for this afternoon’s Six Hours of Silverstone.

– #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
– UAE Rotax MAX Challenge reaches final round at Al Ain Raceway
– Yas Racing Series final round takes place at Yas Marina Circuit

The No. 88 Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR of Khaled Al Qubaisi, Klaus Bachler and Christian Reid put on a strong showing in class with a best average time of two minutes and 03.134 seconds.

The class, however, was dominated by Aston Martin Racing’s No98 Vantage V8 of Pedro Lamy and Paul Dalla Lana, who took pole position for today’s race while the No50 Larbre Competition Chevrolet Corvette C7 of Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti were second quickest in qualifying.

For the Abu Dhabi Racing and Emirates Global Aluminium-back team, who sealed third place overall in the team championship on their debut season last year, it was a productive beginning to their 2015 campaign.

On Friday, the team set the fastest time during practice one with Austrian Bachler clocking a best time of two minutes and 02.350 seconds and two minutes 03.525 seconds in practice two.

Yesterday, amid partially wet conditions, they were fifth fastest in practice three before qualifying in third on the grid for today’s race.

Al Qubaisi said: “We qualified in third in class today which is the best qualifying result that we have achieved compared with our debut season last year.

“It is a good place to be in for the start of the race on Sunday. The car responded well over the last couple of days, so the signs are good for the actual race.

“Like I said, we are in a good position and of course we will push over the course of the six hours on Sunday. “The goal is to be on the podium and hopefully we will achieve that objective come the end of the race Sunday evening.”