SHANE VAN GISBERGEN TAKES FIRST TAILEM HITOUT

Shane Van Gisbergen claimed first bragging rights at The Bend – Photo: InSyde Media

Championship pursuer Shane van Gisbergen took opening day bragging rights after topping the second practice session of the Supercars inaugural round at The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend in South Australia.

The Kiwi set a time of 1m 48.7499s to best teammate Jamie Whincup by 0.573s, while earlier pacesetter in the opening practice session, local Tim Slade took third for the session ahead of Chaz Mostert. Slade’s teammate and fellow South Australian Nick Percat took fifth after the Brad Jones Racing team had to replace his gearbox, which hampered his opening practice session.

Rick Kelly testing the limits of the new circuit – Photo: InSyde Media

Rick Kelly led a trio of Nissans as Simona De Silvestro and Andre Heimgartner were hot on the heels of their team leader, whilst Mark Winterbottom and Scott Pye rounded out the top 10.

Local Tim Slade set the pace earlier in the day – Photo: InSyde Media

The opening session was topped by Slade with a 1m 50.1395s lap ahead of Michael Caruso, Tim Blanchard, van Gisbergen and the Erebus Motorsport pair of David Reynolds and Anton De Pasquale.

There were a number of off-track excursions but no collisions with the concrete.

The third and final practice session takes place at 10:35 local time before qualifying and Race 22 later in the day.

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