Redgrave, Tander take pro-am pole.

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave will start on pole position for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Pro-Celebrity race after team-mate Garth Tander put in a dream lap during official qualifying at Sakhir.

Australian V8 Supercar ace Tander is no stranger to the 380bhp Chevrolet V8 SS Lumina's power but, after a day of safety briefings and track orientation, his celebrity partner completed his first outing in the car with resounding success. Despite a nervous start, Britain's greatest Olympian soon got to grips with the car, and quickly
proved that he could cut the mustard against his celebrity counterparts.

"It was amazing!" Redgrave enthused, "That was my first time driving solo in a race car, and I had no idea what to expect. The car was easier to handle than I thought it would be, but I managed to spin once - it's easy to get it wrong as it's so powerful. The car drives so smoothly but, if you hit on the power too hard at the wrong time, then
the car can really run away with you - I think I scared some of the marshals a couple of times!"

Redgrave was in good company out on the track, with the likes of Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay, fellow Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson and US soul superstar John Legend all taking part in the event.

"The whole experience was magical," the oarsman continued, "It's something that I've always wanted to do and it far exceeded my expectations. I can't wait for the races tomorrow and Sunday, I'm just sad that I only have ten laps left."

Pink Floyd drummer and avid car fanatic Nick Mason and his partner, ITV Formula One commentator Martin Brundle, will be second on the grid following a superb performance from the former Formula One driver. Mason and Jay Kay are joint favourites for the two ten-lap races over the weekend.

The Jamiroquai singer revealed his strategy earlier in the week, showing scant respect for his senior counterpart.

"I'm planning on sticking to Mason's tail and then just overtake him on the final straight," he explained, giving the game away a little, "I think he's a great driver, but I'm going to give him a real run for his money! I'm thrilled to be in Bahrain for the first race of the Formula One season, which is going to be amazing, but I'm even more thrilled to be asked to race - any excuse to get out on the track and I'll jump at it!"

Ali Hasan and Todd Kelly are third in the line-up, with Status Quo legend Rick Parfitt and former Le Mans driver Tiff Needell in fourth place.

Alongside the international celebrities are some of the region's favourites, including Lebanese superstar Ragheb Alama, a man firmly established as one of the Middle East's top singers and personalities.

Alama will have competition from local sporting hero Rashid Ramzi. Bahraini-born Ramzi became the first man to complete the 800m and 1500m double at the world athletics championships in Helsinki last year, and knows all about close finishes after storming down the finishing straight to hold off the late rush from Olympic champion, Yuri Borzakovski in the 800m final.