Hansford finally gets TCM pole
Ryan Hansford has finally broken through for a first Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters pole position of 2024 at Sandown.
Hansford starved off the likes of Adam Garwood, Joel Heinrich and Marcus Zukanovic in a competitive session that ultimately finished under reds.
Dean Lillie subbing for Steven Johnson in the BRUT Mustang impressed on return qualifying fifth.
Despite being fast, the session started with a scare for Garwood, who bowled a wide at turn 1.
Lillie fired out of the blocks being the only one to record a 1m15s lap in the first five minutes
He enjoyed a six tenth advantage over Heinrich, Buzadzic and Pollicina.
But having recovered from his early off, Garwood nailed a 1:14.5796 to kick Lillie off the top and spark a thrilling fight for pole as all the big players had a say.
Heinrich was the first to respond and fire to the top, only for Hansford to find more time, going a further tenth clear with a 1:14.3754.
Garwood was the next to improve but fell just 0.0579s short of Hansford’s lap.
Heinrich tried hard to improve from third and set a purple second sector on his seventh lap but was unable to improve.
Whilst the pace was hot at the top, the rest were pushing hard and Turn 1 proved to be a hotspot.
Jeremy Hassle crept in the top 10, but had a big spin through Turn 1, while Peter Burnitt also toured the same grass.
Later on Kiwi Hughes got crossed up and did a complete 360 degree spin at the left hander with flames spitting from his Torana.
Although Hansford stayed in the pits during the final minutes, Garwood and co had a last crack.
The VB Commodore was pushing the limits and had a wild ride through the Dandenong Road complex.
But Garwood’s hope of finding more time was denied by a late red flag caused by Scott Cameron.
Cameron just found the sand at Dandenong Road and could not recover the Camaro.
Not only did this impact Garwood, but also Buzadzic and Fisher who were on good laps.
The opening Touring Car Masters race is at 8.40 AEST Saturday morning.
Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters qualifying results
Touring Car Masters Sandown schedule
Practice: Fri 8.15
Qualifying: Fri 11.35
Trophy Race: Sat 8.45
Race 1: Sat 13.05
Race 2: Sat 15.50
Race 3: Sun 10.40
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.
