Reid pips Skaife for Carrera Cup Pole  (Author: Speedsafe.com)

New Zealand Porsche ace Jonny Reid has pipped Mark Skaife to pole position for the opening Australian Carrera Cup Championship race at Albert Park.

In an exciting finish to the 25 minute session, Daniel Gaunt held the fastest time as the chequered flag fell, before his 1:59.6s benchmark was successively beaten by Craig Baird, Skaife and Reid.

The final frantic laps had been set up by a mid-session red flag for Ray Angus beaching his entry at Turn 1.

The first Carrera Cup race of the weekend will get underway at 11:25 tomorrow morning.