The first pole position of the 2018-2019 Asian Le Mans Series season went to Pipo Derani at the wheel of the #8 Ligier JS P2-Nissan fielded by Spirit of Race (1:55.476). The Brazilian driver demonstrated his talent once again, qualifying ahead of defending champion Harrison Newey driving Algarve Pro Racing's #24 Ligier JS P2-Nissan, by less than four-tenths of a second. Phil Hanson clocked the third fastest time with United Autosports' #22 Ligier JS P2-Nissan. Fourth position was secured by Jackie Chan DC Racing x Jota Sport's driver Jazeman Jaafar at the wheel of the team's #1 ORECA 05. For its first appearance in the Asian Le Mans Series, Panis-Barthez Compétition's #35 Ligier JS P2-Nissan placed in sixth position thanks to Matthieu Lahaye. The first five LMP2 qualifying times are within the same second.  

Inter Europol Competition secured the pole in LMP3 thanks to Jakub Smiechowski at the wheel of the #13 Ligier JS P3 ahead of Nigel Moore driving Viper Niza Racing's #65 Ligier JS P3 and United Autosports' two cars.

Tianshi Racing Team won its first pole position in GT with Dries Vanthoor - winner in LMGTE Am at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans - at the wheel of the #88 Audi R8 LMS GT3. The Belgian driver qualified ahead of two Ferrari 488 GT3s: the Car Guy team's #11 driven by James Calado and Spirit of Race's #51 driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi. In the GT Cup, Benny Simonsen placed the #16 Porsche 991 Cup fielded by Modena Motorsports.

Click HERE for the official times. 

The start at the Agile 4 Hours of Shanghai will be given tomorrow at 09:30 (01:30 in the U.K.). Check out Asian LMS - Live stream the first round of the season in China tomorrow to find out how to watch the race online. 

PHOTO (Copyright - Asian Le Mans Series): The #8 Ligier JS P2 still start on the first row tomorrow.