HEINRICH CAMARO CHARGES TO TCM POLE
Joel Heinrich and his Chevrolet Camaro have taken pole position for the roaring Touring Car Masters at Wanneroo Raceway.
Despite the Ryan Hansford A9X Torana leading most of the 20-minute session, Heinrich’s 1:00.3191 proved too strong.
He took pole by 0.1333s over Hanford as Steven Johnson had to settle for third ahead the VB Commodore of Adam Garwood.
It was the first Touring Car Masters qualifying session at Wanneroo since 2013 when the cars were lapping 2s slower with Michael Almond taking pole on that occasion with 1:02.3144 in a 911 RS.
Fast forward 11 years and Hansford was fast out of the gates, posting a 1:00.4524 on his second lap, which was so fast it stood on top for three quarters of the 20-minute session.
He emerged around a tenth and a half clear of Garwood and Heinrich after the early runs, while Andrew Fisher and Cam Tilley rounded out the top five.
Heinrich improved on Lap 6 to rise to second and come just a tenth away from the #6 Torana.
Johnson waited until the second half of the session to put his BRUT Mustang to the test.
The reigning champion hit the top five on his first flying lap and then came within a tenth on the next lap to sit second.
However, Heinrich was also on a fresh tyre run and found even more pace.
With less than five minutes left Heinrich finally knocked off Hansford from P1 with a 1:00.3191.
He was 0.1333s clear of Hansford, who made a late run but had no answer.
There was little change on the leaderboard as Zukanovic rose to sixth, but could not break the top five.
The Touring Car Masters Trophy Race will begin at 10.15 AEST/08.15 AWST.
Image: James Smith Photographer
Touring Car Masters Wanneroo qualifying results
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.
Podcast: Supercars Perth and F1 Imola preview
On this week’s show, Andrew, Bruce and PG rejoice at the return of Supercars after what feels like and eternity, but is only four weeks. We preview the Perth round in this week’s Auto Action RevLimiter.
Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here
