Randle, Winterbottom explain Q2 struggles

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: August 17, 2024

The second segment of Saturday Supercars qualifying produced many hard luck stories, including Thomas Randle and Mark Winterbottom.

With just 38s left, a mistake coming out of the final corner sent Randle into a wild spin with the #55 Mustang spearing across the track and eventually kissing the inside wall.

The car was stuck in the gravel long enough for officials to bring out the reds and ensure the session finished early, ensuring many were knocked out and unable to fight for pole in Q3.

The driver who caused it, Randle, admitted he was pushing the boundaries in the cut-throat session and was simply relieved to see the car relatively unscathed.

“I am just glad the car is in one piece,” Randle said.

“It was the smallest of hits and I feel sorry for the whole team.

“I was pushing pretty hard. The lap was looking good, like a top six lap, but you need to cross the line for it to count.

“I just dropped a wheel out of (Turn) 7, Feeney bailed on his lap and let Cam (Waters) through, but I was sort of right behind him and understeered off.

Thomas Randle spins in Q2. Image: Fox Sports

“It was the lightest of touch so the car will be fine and just disappointed for the team.”

One of the numerous unlucky drivers who did not get to enjoy a final lap to chase a berth to Q3 was Winterbottom.

The Team 18 driver ended up having to settle for 14th, but believed he was on track for progression.

“We would have gotten through easily and then the red flag came out,” Winterbottom said.

“We were doing our cycle and the first lap wasn’t the best, but the second one was up by a mile so would have got through, but obviously a lot of people had that story.”

At the conclusion of Q2 Winterbottom was seen exchanging words with BJR’s Andre Heimgartner, who finished 20th, inside the Team 18 garage.

“Obviously he was behind me and everyone tries to get tows,” Winterbottom explained.

“He made room for me at one but I was still trucking on with my lap because you can’t just stop your lap for everyone else.

“I would have given him a tow but he backed out and the red flag obviously cost him.

“Small tracks create these issues and we both missed out anyway.”

Image: Mark Horsburgh

Tasmania SuperSprint schedule

Practice 1: 1: D. Reynolds 51.1376 2: J. Golding +0.1061 3: J. Le Brocq +0.1628

Practice 2: 1: R. Stanaway 54.4551 2: C. Waters +0.0520 3: C. Mostert +0.0716

Qualifying: 1: B. Feeney 50.9884 2: C. Waters +0.0820 3: B. Kostecki +0.0873

Race 17: Sat 16.10 (55 laps)

Practice 3: Sun 10.20-10.40

Qualifying: Sun 12.40-13.30

Race 18: Sun 15.05 (55 laps)

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Randle, Winterbottom explain Q2 struggles

The driver who caused it, Randle, admitted he was pushing the boundaries in the cut-throat session and was simply relieved to see the car relatively unscathed.

“I just dropped a wheel out of (Turn) 7, Feeney bailed on his lap and let Cam (Waters) through, but I was sort of right behind him and understeered off.

“We would have gotten through easily and then the red flag came out,” Winterbottom said.

“I would have given him a tow but he backed out and the red flag obviously cost him.

Tasmania SuperSprint schedule

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