McLeod tops debut Sports Sedans session at GC 500

Super3 young gun Cameron McLeod finished on top of championship contenders Jordan Caruso and Tony Ricciardello in the opening session of the Precision National Sports Sedans on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

Racing in the new MARC GT SS, McLeod put down a 1:14.275 to top Caruso by 0.173, with both drivers putting in late flyers.
As the teams and drivers felt around to maximise their set-ups ahead of today’s qualifying at 15:55 AEDT, Ricciardello was third in his Alfa Romeo GTV, +1.215 off the pace ahead of Ashley Jarvis.

In a session that saw a brief red flag, McLeod went over Caruso late on to turn a few heads in the Sports Sedans pits in the opening feeler session.

“Awesome debut session for the MARC car boys and I, the car is amazing, there’s a couple of little things to work on, but the track is awesome and it’s my first time racing here so I’m really excited,” McLeod told Sports Sedans TV.

Ricciardello also gave an insight into how the conditions were on track.

“It’s pretty hectic out there, in a straight line the car wants to go everywhere because there’s so many camber changes and bumps going on,” Ricciardello said.

“Just getting a feel of it, it’s a bg learning curve for a lot of guys, so it’s just about getting some rhythm and getting a good systems check and making sure things are in the right place.

Ricciardello unpacking his iconic Alfa Romeo ahead of the Sports Sedans Gold Coast 500 debut

“With such a big tyre on the front and back the car does track quite a bit, so just trying to get a feel, it’s not one of those tracks where you have a run-off and it’s pretty much locked in. It was a good session, and I’m sure it opened a few eyes up.”

The second practice session at 13:45 AEDT (live on Foxtel and Kayo) will be telling as drivers and mechanics tinker with their machines to maximise their qualifying pace.

Friday

Practice 1 – 11:00 – 11:20

Practice 2 – 13:45 – 14:05

Qualifying – 15:55 – 16:15

Saturday 

Race 1 – 10:00 – 10:20

Race 2 – 1330 – 1350

Sunday 

Race 3 – 12:00 – 12:20

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The P word also gets a run. The ongoing GT4 saga and a tribute to Allan Horsley.