GARRY’S PHILLIP ISLAND SUPERSPRINT SUPPORT WRAP – FRIDAY
Alex Davison fastest in the lead up to Carrera Cup qualifying – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde
Porsche Carrera Cup
OVERALL OUT of the two sessions, Alex Davison has been fastest in the lead-up to qualifying for round three of the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia at the Phillip Island WD-40 SuperSprint Supercar event today.
Setting the benchmark sub-record time in 1 minute 31.2627 second time in session one, Davison headed Dylan O’Keeffe by 0.15 seconds while James Moffat and Dale Wood (fastest in session two) were the next best two. Jordan Love and the winner of the first two rounds and series leader, Jaxon Evans, were the next best.
Last year’s overall winner David Wall was seventh fastest ahead of Nick McBride, Peter Major and Michael Almond. The best of the Pro-Ams was Anthony Gilbertson in eleventh from Max Twigg (13th) and class points leader Roger Lago (14th).
The second session was circumvented with a red flag and tyre wall repair when Dean Cook speared off between turn 8 and turn 9. The top 13 cars were posting times underneath the lap record.
Toyota 86s
Trent Grubel topped practice for the Toyota 86’s – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde
IT TOOK a sub-record lap of 1 minute 52.2028 seconds in the first session for Trent Grubel to be overall the fastest before qualifying for race one of the opening round.
The top seven times all came from the opening session where Kane Baxter-Smith was second quickest ahead of Cameron Crick who was at the wheel of the Cameron Hill’s car from 2017. Fourth fastest was 15-year-old Jaylyn Robotham ahead of Tim Brook and Luke King, now custodian of the series winning car of Jimmy Vernon from last year.
John Iafolla, Jake Klein, Liam McAdam and Ben Grice completed the top ten which was covered by six-tenths of a second. One second covers the top 18.
The second session did see Simon Samoilenko have an off, so too Hayden Jackson who lightly bounced off the tyre barrier at turn 2.
Aussie Racing Cars
HEAVY FOG caused the three sessions (practice, qualifying and race one) to be rescheduled as two sessions (practice and qualifying) ahead of just a three-race format over the next two days, rather than the usual four.
Out of a two-way battle for pole position, it was Kel Treseder (Camaro) who will start race one-off pole tomorrow. He edged out the best of the Western Sydney Motorsport entries in Justin Ruggier (Mustang) by three tenths of a second.
Ninth fastest was Blake Sciberras (Mustang) who had to have the engine changed in his mount after the early practice session. Former series title holder Darren Chamberlin (Camaro) finished the session 13th after having a damaged front splitter removed.
Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Cars
Jon McCorkindale was one of the fastest in the V8 Touring Cars – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde
THERE WERE two practice sessions for the unofficial third tier of Supercars which were headed up by Jon McCorkindale and Geoff Emery in their ex-SBR Ford Falcon BF and Triple 8 Holden Commodore VE respectively.
In his first drive of a V8 Touring Car, Tyler Everingham was second fastest in the MW Motorsport-prepped ex-FPR Falcon FG while Macauley Jones (BJR Commodore VE) subbed for 2017 series winner Jack Smith for the third fastest time. The latter was taking a university exam.
Zac Best (MWM FG) and Michael Anderson (ex FPR FG) made up the first session top five with inaugural series winner in 2008, Chris Smerdon (ex-SBR FG) sixth and Emery seventh.
The latter was the fastest in session two ahead of McCorkindale, Anderson and Ryal Harris (ex-MHM FG) before Stephen Coe crunch his ex-PMM VE against the concrete pit wall on the inside of turn 12 and ended the rescheduled session.
For more of the latest national motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of Auto Action, on sale now. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues
