Johnson claims thrilling TCM pole

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: June 14, 2024

Steven Johnson used his experience to edge ahead of Joel Heinrich and Ryan Hansford in a thrilling fight for the Touring Car Masters pole.

The three heavyweights went at it in the opening stages of the 20 minute session and nothing separated them.

Johnson, who won the previous TCM round at Darwin in 2018 ended up on top with a 1:12.5333.

This proved to be just 0.0099s clear of Heinrich while Hansford was also within a tenth.

Adam Garwood and Jamie Tilley completed the top five in the fight for Pro Am honours.

Under sunny skies Hansford sent down the first flyer of a 1:13.4257, which was half a second clear of Heinrich while Tilley was the only other driver within 2s.

But both Hansford and Heinrich improved on their second attempts and the lead changed hands as they crept into the 1m12s window.

Heinrich snatched P1 from Hansford by just 0.0399s but it soon became closer as Johnson made it a three-way battle.

The BRUT Mustang split the pair to make it just 0.0186s the difference at the top.

Johnson found more speed on his third lap recording a 1:12.5333, which was a meagre 0.0099s clear of Heinrich and ultimately proved to be enough for pole.

Despite having a slow first sector, the former Supercars star nailed the final two sectors.

Hansford had another crack by setting a purple first sector on his fifth lap but could only stay in third and on the following lap he went off at Turn 1.

The #6 Torana had a massive left front lock up and went a long way into the weeds.

Meanwhile, Garwood was a fraction ahead of Tilley and Fisher in the fight for fourth.

This was the case despite the #2 VB Commodore going off at Turn 1.

Rookie Jeremy Hassell also had a moment in the #78 Torana at Turn 5, while Kiwi newcomer Lance Hughes did the same following a big lock up.

Another Torana in the form of Jim Policina went a long way off at Turn 7.

With the leaders staying in the lane, there was little action at the end of the session aside from Buzadzic securing fifth.

The stage is now set for the Trophy Race this afternoon.

Image: James Smith Photographer

Touring Car Masters Darwin Qualifying

Touring Car Masters Darwin schedule (ACST)

Friday, June 14

10.35 Practice

13.30 Qualifying

16.05 Trophy Race

Saturday, June 15

08.55 Race 1

13.45 Race 2

Sunday, June 16

13.10 Race 3

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Johnson claims thrilling TCM pole

This proved to be just 0.0099s clear of Heinrich while Hansford was also within a tenth.

Heinrich snatched P1 from Hansford by just 0.0399s but it soon became closer as Johnson made it a three-way battle.

Hansford had another crack by setting a purple first sector on his fifth lap but could only stay in third and on the following lap he went off at Turn 1.

Rookie Jeremy Hassell also had a moment in the #78 Torana at Turn 5, while Kiwi newcomer Lance Hughes did the same following a big lock up.

Touring Car Masters Darwin Qualifying

Touring Car Masters Darwin schedule (ACST)

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