Garwood takes record-breaking pole

Adam Garwood flew to a record-breaking pole position for the Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters at Sydney.

On his very first flying lap, Garwood produced a 1:37.7027, which was almost a second faster than the previous TCM track record.

The championship leader ended up just two tenths clear of fast rookie Rylan Gray, who held off Ryan Hansford, Andrew Fisher and Joel Heinrich in a competitive session.

Qualifying had a notable absentee with no Steven Johnson due to a chest infection, but the #33 BRUT Mustang will be back in the Trophy Race with John Bowe behind the wheel.

Cameron Tilley, Hansford and Heinrich all had purple sectors on their opening lap and it was the Valiant that convincingly set the pace.

Tilley shot out of the gates with a 1:39.3224 that was more than 2s quicker than next best Gray.

But the big hitters were yet to fire and Garwood was flying.

Despite a big slide coming out of Turn 7, Corporate Hill, the championship leader took P1 with a special 1:37.7027.

The likes of Hansford, Fisher, Gray, Heinrich and Zukanovic all pushed hard to displace Tilley bit could not join Garwood in the 1m37s window.

Hansford purple first sector but locked up going into the Turn 8 hairpin, which proved costly as Gray jumped to second.

Despite Garwood producing a special time, the top five were split by just four tenths.

David Hender had a wild moment, losing the rear on the exit of Turn 1, finding the dirt and spinning out of control at the fastest corner of the track. Despite the scare, he was able to carry on with a flat tyre.

With the top six all staying in the pits, Zukanovic and Tilley were two of the drivers to have in the final minute but could not improve.

Attention now turns to the Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters Trophy Race at 13.05 AEST.

Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters Qualifying results

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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