Malaysian-based Gold Coaster Josh Hunt will start from pole position for the inaugural KL City GT Cup on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Hunt, who runs the Energy Course Asia karting operation from KL, set the quickest qualifying time in his Kurnia AmAassurance Racing SLS AMG GT3 Mercedes Benz with a time of 1:24.37s around the 3.2km street course.

Hunt topped the time sheets ahead of the lighter Lamborghini Super Trofeos of Afiq Ikhawa Yazid (1:24.44) and Naoki Yokomizo (1:27.07).

The Australian set the pole time despite suffering brake problems, which saw him make contact with the Turn 2 wall.

Ford GT3 driver Frank Yu was fourth (1:29.70s) and Adrian d’Silva fifth in his Ferrari F458 GT3 (1:29.97).

Hunt managed to notch his time before it was red flagged less than 14 minutes into a schedule 30-minute session because of a spectacular accident involving local driver Fairuz Fauzy.

Piloting a Lamborghini Gallardo FL2, Fairuz lost control of his machine as the OD Racing driver was taking the difficult Turn 12 at Jalan Perak.

Qualifying is seen as vital on the tight and bumpy KL circuit, which will host the 25 lap feature race from 1700 local time.

Formula Masters

Young Australian Jake Parsons will start from third position in both Formula Masters races in Kuala Lumpur despite suspension failure spectacularly ending his opening race with just three of 15 laps remaining.

Parsons was running a solid second in the race when his car’s right rear suspension collapsed at one of the fastest parts of the circuit.

His Meritus-prepared machine was spat into the the concrete barriers and was worked on through the night.

Parsons was treated for a bruised shoulder, but will be back on track today.

“We were having a solid run and then ‘bang’,” reflected Parsons.

“It has not done our championship aspirations any favours, but we just need to keep our heads down and get as many points in the bag as we can in the final two 10 and 15-lap races.”

Yesterday’s race was won by Martin Rump from Alessio Picariello, while Australian Nicolas Rowe was an impressive third.