Jono Lester guided the Trass Family Motorsport Ferrari 458 to a fourth pole position of the season in a hard fought Australian GT qualifying session at Sandown.

The Kiwi was involved in a thrilling battle for pole with the Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 458 of Tony D’Alberto and Grant Denyer in both 20 minute sessions.

However, its was Lester’s 1:08.9004s effort in the second hit out that secured pole by a margin of 0.04s from D’Alberto.

Lester will join forces with Graeme Smyth for the weekend’s two 60 minute contests.

Championship leader Nathan Antunes maintained his strong form to secure third on the grid although the Beechwood Audi R8 driver was 0.7s adrift of the leading Ferraris.

Antunes will share the second row alongside the Glen Wood/Elliot Barbour M Motorsport Lamborghini Gallardo.

Factory Audi driver Christopher Mies struggled to match the speed of the pace-setters which left him to settle for fifth spot in the Jamec-Pem Audi R8, he shares with Ryan Millier.

The Nurburgring 24 Hour winner was a second adrift of the Lester Ferrari and only fractionally ahead of the Erebus Motorsport Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 of Morgan Haber.

Klark Quinn was seventh fastest in the Darrell Lea McLaren 650S just 0.04s ahead of the second Erebus Motorsport Mercedes SLS of Max Twigg/Geoff Emery and the Reiter Chevrolet Camaro of Justin McMillan/John McIntyre.

The AMAC Motorsport Porsche of Andrew Macpherson and Brad Shiels rounded out the top 10.

Making their Australian GT debut, Ross Stone Racing qualified in 12th spot courtesy of Andrew Miedecke’s effort in the recently purchased Aston Martin Vantage.

The first of the weekend’s Australian GT Championship races will begin at 1655 on Saturday afternoon.

Result: Australian GT Championship Qualifying 1/2 Combined Times Sandown