RED BULL STRIKES BACK IN PERTH

Shane Van Gisbergen ends Perth practice fastest – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Shane van Gisbergen has led a Red Bull HRT fightback in the second Practice session for this weekend’s Supercars round at Barbagallo Raceway.

The defending Supercars Champion struck at the end pf the session, to log the the fastest-ever Supercars lap of the circuit. SVG lapped in 54.77s, a full quarter-second under the Practice lap record set by teammate Jamie Whincup six years ago.

“The car felt terrible but we kept chipping away,” said van Gisbergen. “No points yet though!”

Maintaining this year theme, Scott McLaughlin was second fastest in the DJR Team Penske Ford, 0.01s behind his countryman. McLaughlin came out with five minutes remaining in the session, to tip Craig Lowndes from the top spot. The veteran, winner of 16 races at the Perth track, and had to be content with sixth.

“We are pretty happy with the pace at the moment. We are not done yet,” McLaughlin said.

“The tyres are providing some good grip for us so hopefully we can go faster.”

Whincup was third fastest, in spite of running off the track at Turn 7, ahead of the Prodrive duo of Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert.

“The car was not too bad, a little bit understeery,” said Frosty, “I am looking for some more grip. There is more in it.”

Chaz Waters was seventh in the third Prodrive entry ahead of Will Davison, Todd Kelly in the fastest of the Nissans and Nick Percat (BJR Commodore).

Garth Tander was fastest in the opening practice session – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Earlier in the day Garth Tander topped the first session, ahead of Whincup, James Moffat, James Courtney and Rick Kelly.
Saturday’s action starts with Qualifying at 11:55am local time, ahead of the 50-lap Race 7 over 50 laps at 2:45pm.

Keep tuned into Auto Action for all the latest Supercars news.