Two separate races (double-header) are scheduled for Sunday, and Narain's performance came in the qualifying rounds for the first event. The second qualifying session was slated for later tonight.

Narain, driving for Carlin Motorsport and supported by Kingfisher, Mobil, Tata and JK Tyre, had a timing of 42.253 seconds ahead of Brazilian Luciano Burti of Stewart Racing who clocked 42.305, according to information reaching here.

The intensity of competition among the 26 cars that took part in the qualifying session was evident from the fact that the top 10 drivers finished in the 42-second bracket. In fact, Aluizio Coelho, placed 10th, had a timing of 42.743seconds!

When viewed in this context, the Championship leader, Marc Hynes of Manor Motorsport, could manage only a sixth position, clocking 42.385 seconds.

Narain's average speed around the 1.226 mile circuit was 104.47 Mph. More significantly, his performance came in conditions that were said to be ``bright and dry'' while he is renowned for his driving skills in wet weather.

With a pole position under his belt, Narain was confident of notching his first podium finish this season to make up for a rather undistinguished start he has had this year.

He was fourth in the opening round at Donnington Park and followed it up with two DNFs (Did Not Finish) at Silverstone and Thruxton.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's Alex Yoong came up with a brilliant drive to qualify fifth on the grid, clocking 42.385 seconds. He tied with Hynes, but Yoong was placed ahead since he came up with the timing first.

The top 10 qualifiers

Narain Karthikeyan 1 (42.253 secs); Luciano Burti 2 (42.305); Mathew Davis 3 (42.349);Jenson Button 4 (42.378); Alex Yoong 5 (42.385); Marc Hynes 6 (42.385); Kristian Kolby 7 (42.535); Martin O'Connell 8 (42.591); Andrew Kirkaldy 9 (42.642); Aluizio Coelho 10 (42.743).