COULTHARD PUTS MUSTANG ON POLE FOR ADELAIDE OPENER

Fabian Coulthard puts Mustang on pole for Adelaide opener – Photo: InSyde Media

IT WILL be a Shell V-Power Ford Mustang on pole position for race one of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship with Fabian Coulthard posting the fastest time in the Top Ten Shootout.

Red Bull’s Jamie Whincup will start alongside in the Triple 8 Holden Commodore while Scott McLaughlin and Cam Waters will share row two.

Mobil 1 MEGA Racing’s James Courtney scraped in the top ten right at the end of qualifying and had the first dig in the Shootout, steering his Holden Commodore ZB though the heat to a 1min 21.046.

Next was David Reynolds who went quicker in all three sectors aboard the Penrite Erebus Commodore, returning a 1min 20.513.

Only on Nissan made the shootout – in eighth spot – and Rick Kelly was “oversteery” and slower than Reynolds in sectors one and two, ultimately producing a 1min 21.0569s, one hundredth down on Courtney.

Van Gisbergen had his turn in the first of the Red Bull Holden Racing Team’s ZB, aiming for a fifth straight pole. He hit swiped the wall at turn six and was a tenth down by the second sector. However, a fast last sector put him on top with a 1min 20.3883s.

Will Davison was out next in the first of the Ford Mustangs. The Milwaukee Racing driver who was last Ford winner in Adelaide in 2012. His 1min 20.5228s was good enough for third behind SVG and Reynolds.

Cam Waters set the initial pace – Photo: InSyde Media

Next it was the Monster Tickford Mustang with Cam Waters at the wheel. He was quick straight up and showing the way. He carried that through to the lead on 1min 20.3402s.

Nick Percat was out next in the Team National Pharmacies/Brad Jones Racing Holden. The lone South Australian in the Shootout posted a 1min 20.6132, taking the mirrors off both sides and placed fifth of those that had run.

Third fastest in qualifying was a rejuvenated Fabian Coulthard continued that form in the Shell V-Power DJR/Penske Mustang being the first to go under the 20s with a 1min 19.8918s.

Whincup was the only chance of possibly denying a Mustang of pole in the Red Bull Holden but fell short with a 1min 20.2179s.

McLaughlin was the final runner, aiming for pole and a Shell lockout of the front row. But his effort of 1min 20.2551 was only a good enough for third.

In the end van Gisbergen will start fifth with Reynolds alongside and ahead of Davison, Percat, Courtney and Kelly.

For more of the latest Supercars news, pick up the current issue of Auto Action, both in stores and online 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.