The American pilot amassed a penalty in his first run but recovered superbly in the second, clocking 55.424sec to qualify for tomorrow's final in style.

Kirby Chambliss, also of the United States, was second after finishing 0.634 seconds slower than Goulian.

Yoshihide Muroya of Japan, seeking a third consecutive victory in the Chiba leg of the World Championship having triumphed on the previous two occasions the event has been staged in the Japanese city, was third.

Muroya posted a time of 56.403 and will take on Australian Matt Hall in the round of 14 tomorrow.

Hall, winner of the last competition of the series in Cannes, endured a difficult day and languished down in 12th place.

"Our team is so strong, and we keep working and working and working," said Goulian. 

"To put it all together here, and with an engine that was hot, is even more satisfying than Cannes. 

"It's a technical track and the winds will be different tomorrow, so it's going to be a heck of a race. 

"And anyone can win here tomorrow."