Waters leads Tickford 1-2
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 5 July 2024
Tickford has started the Townsville 500 on the front foot with Cameron Waters leading a 1-2 in Practice 1.
With grey skies, windy conditions and a dirty track to contend with, 23 of the 24 cars set their fastest times in the opening stint.
Well clear of the rest was Waters being the only driver to post a 1m13s time, which he posted at the seven-minute mark.
His 1:13.9603 was 0.1206s clear of teammate Thomas Randle as Tickford led the entire 40-minute session that ran green the whole way.
Championship leader Will Brown was third and the only Camaro in the top five which also featured James Courtney and Andre Heimgartner.
Tickford was fast straight away with Randle leading a 1-2 after the first two flying laps and their stranglehold was unbroken.
The #55 set a 1:14.0809, which was 0.03s ahead of Waters with Payne third and Fullwood the leading Camario ahead of Kostecki.
Waters was then the first to record a 1m13s time with a 1:13.9603, which was a tenth clear of Randle.
De Pasquale was the only driver not to post an early time in the first 10 minutes, but when he did he rose to seventh.
He was just one of the many Fords near the top with Brown the only Camaro in the top five, which also included James Courtney to give BRT a boost.
One driver who was not getting many laps was Cameron Hill, who despite recording the 11th best time was stuck in the pits due to a steering rack issue after contact with the kerb on his fourth lap.
Mostert had a little moment dropping the left rear in the first on the exit of turn 5. He was down in 15th and questioned the “rear philosophy” of his #25 Mustang.
Payne locked up and used the escape road at Turn 11 and Courtney did the same thing.
Everyone aside from Hill did late runs but only Percat could find time rising from 23rd to 20th.
A more indicative session pace wise is predicted for Practice 2 at 15.10 AEST.
Image: Mark Horsburgh
Supercars Townsville 500 Practice 1
Supercars Townsville 500 schedule
Friday, July 5
12.15-12.55: Practice 1
15.10-15.50: Practice 2
Saturday, July 6
10.15-10.30: Race 13 Qualifying
12.05-12.35: Top 10 Shootout
14.40-16.48: Race 13 88 laps
Sunday, July 7
10.05-10.20: Race 14 Qualifying
12.05-12.35: Top 10 Shootout
14.40-16.48: Race 13 88 laps
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