Auto GP: Pal Kiss breaks Valencia lap record

Series returnee Tamas Pal Kiss (LEFT and ABOVE) broke the unofficial Auto GP lap record at Valencia on the series' opening day of collective testing of 2014.

Pal Kiss's fastest lap of 1m21.480s was two seconds under the Valencia Auto GP lap record set by recent Rapax GP2 signing Adrian Quaife-Hobbs in 2012.

Former GP3 race winner Pal Kiss is benefiting from more orderly preparations to his season than in 2013. The Hungarian was left on the sidelines through lack of finance, before finally securing a late deal to join Auto GP for round three of the championship at the Hungaroring.

Campos GP2 driver Kimiya Sato claimed second on the times for MLR71, run by his former team Euronova Racing. Former grand prix driver Taki Inoue, who is assisting the 2012 Auto GP title contender, revealed that Sato is participating in the test to assist the team and its new drivers, and for the same reason will compete in Auto GP this year in parallel to GP2.

Regular 2013 front-runner Kevin Giovesi finished third for newcomers Puma 3 M-Sport, who enjoy a technical partnership with former Durango GP2 team boss Ivone Pinton's Eurotech concern.

Belgian Sam Dejonghe ended the day top rookie and a promising fourth fastest for Virtuosi UK. Teammate Andrea Roda, who returns to the team for a second season, claimed third quickest in the morning session behind Super Nova International's Michela Cerruti and Sato.

Reigning champions Super Nova also fielded Markus Pommer and Gianmarco Raimondo. Former FIA Formula 2 race winner Pommer was confident of further progress on the final day of testing on Wednesday, after experiencing a small issue with his pedals during his fastest lap.

Canadian Raimondo's running was limited to a shakedown at the close of play, in preparation for a more intense programme on Wednesday.

At Euronova, Sato will hand driving duties over to former teammate Yoshitaka Kuroda on Wednesday. Salvatore Deplano, a late addition to the test, will drive the MLR71 entry.