Valentino Rossi will start the Malaysian Grand Prix from the front of the grid after scorching the Sepang track with the fastest time in qualifying Saturday.
The Italian Yamaha rider, who won here last year, clocked 2 minutes 1.833 seconds, the fastest lap time ever recorded for a bike race on the 5.54km track.
Alex Barros of Brazil was second with a time of 2:2.228 on a Honda and Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano of Japan took third place, clocking 2:2.278.
Rossi's arch rival, Sete Gibernau of Spain kept the world champion in sight for Sunday's race with a fourth placing effort of 2:2.283 on a Honda.
Makoto Tamada of Japan who won the provisional pole position on Friday was fifth on a Honda, clocking 2:2.394
Gibernau won the Grand Prix of Qatar last week after Rossi crashed out in the sixth lap, cutting Rossi's overall lead to just 14 points with three races to go.
Rossi said the pole position was crucial in his bid to win on Sunday and put his bid for a sixth world title back on track.
"I am happy to get the pole," Rossi said. "We were able to come back to being very competitive today and we hope for a favorable result tomorrow.''
Sebastian Porto of Argentina took pole position in the 250cc, clocking 2: 6.940 on his Aprilia. Honda rider Daniel Pedrosa of Spain was second with a time of 2:7.644 while Randy De Puniet of France, clocked 2:8.287 on an Aprilia to take third place.
In the 125cc, the lead went to Italy's Andrea Dovizioso, who timed 2:12.684 on his Honda. Aprilia's Hector Barbera of Spain came second with 2:13.576 while Australia's Casey Stoner on a KTM secured the third position with a time of 2:13.718.
Japan Grand Prix
Formula One team members had an interesting selection of television programs to watch Saturday, a rare offday of a race weekend -- the Yankees-Twins baseball playoff or the US presidential debate.
Some even chose to watch live shots of the damage and flooding caused by the approaching typhoon Ma-on.
The teams have been advised to stay in their hotels while typhoon Ma-on approaches the Suzuka area. Rains have been constant from Friday morning, increasing in force throughout the day. If it hits, it could bring winds of more than 160kph and more than 40cm of rain, according to the Meteorological Agency.
"Due to a Super Typhoon warning the Suzuka Circuit will be closed tomorrow, Saturday," said a Minardi team statement. "The Japanese government recommended all teams not to leave the hotels, that's why no one will be available at the track."
Although the typhoon is expected pass through the track area quickly, and make Sunday relatively clear, there is still concern that the Sunday schedule may be affected if the Suzuka circuit is flooded.
Organizers of the race closed the circuit yesterday, canceling the regular qualifying sessions, which are now scheduled to take place before the race today -- a first in Formula One.
Some drivers hoped to get some exercise during their enforced layoff. However seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher was thwarted in a chance to play some indoor soccer when he discovered the local gym had already been booked for other activities.
That left the Minardi, Ferrari, Jordan and the rest of the teams to hang around the hotel with little to do but watch television.
Meanwhile, the extra time gave team members and officials the opportunity to debate the latest off-track developments in Formula One -- the rescue of an old race or the emergence of a new team.
The on-again, off-again saga of the fate of the 2005 British Grand Prix was on-again after a group that is said to include former world champion Nigel Mansell indicated it may come to the rescue and supply needed financial backing.
The British Racing Drivers Club, which currently owns the Silverstone track, confirmed Thursday it had met with Brand Synergy about promoting the race.
But it said no financial deal had been signed.
"There has been no independent verification of financial backing for their proposal," BRDC said in a statement.
Many details -- such as the agreement of the teams for an extra race in 2005 -- also need to be dealt with.
"I am very confident there will be a solution found and we will be racing at Silverstone next year," said BAR team boss David Richards. "For us as a team, and I'm sure for many of the other British-based teams, the commercial impact of not having the event, and the effect on all our staff as well, is to me not acceptable. We need to find a solution."
Paul Stoddart of Minardi put it more bluntly. "There will be a Silverstone race," he said.
The possibility of an extra team in the 2006 season also remains to be seen. A Russian-born, Canadian businessman on Friday announced plans to enter a team in Formula One in 2006.
Alexander Shnaider would like his Midland F1 team to start racing in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The Midland Group does extensive business in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
Shnaider said the team has been accepted by F1 officials, including series boss Bernie Ecclestone. Like many F1 teams, it is to be based in England.
The chassis is to be built by Italian manufacturer Dallara, which built cars for the Scuderia Italia team from 1988 to 1992, and also built a chassis for Honda in 1998. It also has cars in the Indy Racing League. Midland hopes to announce engine and tire suppliers in January or February and begin testing its car by September.
Shnaider also said he would like to see a Russian driver and perhaps a Russian Grand Prix.
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