Garwood stays on top

Championship leader Adam Garwood retained P1 as a rookie impressed in the opening practice session of the Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters Sydney round.

Garwood was in top form in his VB Commodore, being eight tenths clear of the rest of the field with a 1:38.6264.

Being second best was impressive rookie Rylan Gray, who was the only competitor inside a second of Garwood in his very first drive of the Ford Capri.

Jamie Tilley was able to squeeze in front of Marcus Zukanovic for third, while Ryan Hansford and Joel Heinrich could only manage fifth and sixth.

It was a clean 20 minute session, but little of Steven Johnson was seen as he could only manage three laps.

Andrew Fisher the first to set a lap in anger posting a 1:42.3554, which was seven tenths clear of Heinrich

But then Cameron Tilley became the first to post a 1m41s time in his Valiant Pacer.

As drivers pushed harder on their second laps, Buzadzic, Cameron and Fisher all joined him with just 0.09s the difference at the top.

But the big names were still warming up and Garwood brought the session into a new phase at the seven minute mark.

The championship leader nailed a 1:38.9351, which was well clear of the rest.

Jamie Tilley also improved to come within seven tenths of Garwood, while next best Buzadzic was more than 2s off.

Garwood did not stop pushing and found three more tenths on his fourth lap to lower the benchmark to a record-breaking 1:38.6264 despite catching Cameron down the Brabham Straight.

Young rookie Rylan Gray announced himself by rising from 10th to second and being the only driver within a second of Garwood at the halfway mark.

The likes of Johnson and David Hender were yet to set a lap in anger as Hansford and Heinrich were on the edge of the top five.

Hughes had some struggles braking his Torana with lock ups at Turns 1 and 10.

Cameron had shown pace in the Duggan Family Hotels Camaro in seventh, but spun 180 degrees when putting the power down on approach to the final corner.

The intensity steps up at 15.25 AEST when qualifying is held.

Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters Practice 1 results

Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters SMP schedule 

Friday, July 19

12.50-13.10: Practice

15.25-15.45: Qualifying

Saturday, July 20

13.05-13.25: Trophy Race

16.20-16.40: Race 1

Sunday, July 21

9.30-9.50: Race 2

12.35-12.55: Race 3

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