Bathurst 1000: Jamie Whincup fastest in Friday qualifying

Contributor
James Pavey
Bathurst 1000: Jamie Whincup fastest in Friday qualifying image

Jamie Whincup flexed his muscle at Mount Panorama on Friday, claiming top spot in qualifying.

Whincup set the benchmark time of 2:04.1093, beating home David Reynolds and Scott McLaughlin.

Rain had dominated the running in the week, with all practice sessions prior to qualifying featuring inclement weather.

However, despite reports of drops falling at points during the session, qualifying ran under clear conditions.

MORE: Fords at the top in rain-soaked Thursday practice

The leaders traded places during the 40-minute-long hit-out, with four-time Bathurst winner Whincup ending the session nearly two tenths clear of Reynolds.

Series leader Shane van Gisbergen finished the session in fourth, with James Courtney and Craig Lowndes just behind.

Cameron Waters was the only other Falcon in the 10, ending up sixth, ahead of 2011 winner Nick Percat, impressive rookie Anton De Pasquale and veteran Garth Tander the other drivers to book a spot in Saturday's Top 10 Shootout.

Several big names missed the 10, with Chaz Mostert (11th), Fabian Coulthard (15th) and Mark Winterbottom (19th) all falling wide of an all-important Shootout berth.

Andre Heimgartner was the leading Nissan in 13th.

The only stoppage to the session was triggered by Jack Le Brocq, who hit the wall when he ran off at Hell Corner with 10 minutes remaining.

 

However, the afternoon belonged to Whincup, who was pleased with his Red Bull Holden's pace under overcast skies.

The six-time series champion's best lap was a tenth faster than McLaughlin's in the corresponding session 12 months ago.

"That’s by far the quickest I’ve been around this place in a Supercar," Whincup said after the session.

"I had no idea what anyone else was doing... I knew I had done a four [point] three, I knew there was a little bit more in the car.

"We made a few tweaks and then got another couple of tenths out of it. I’m just keen to watch the replay and see exactly what happened."

The final practice session will kick off on Saturday at at 10:00am AEST, before all eyes turn to the Top 10 Shootout at 5:10pm.

 

2018 BATHURST 1000

FRIDAY QUALIFYING RESULTS

Position DriverCar Lap Margin
1stJamie WhincupHolden2:04.1093 
2ndDavid ReynoldsHolden2:04.2648+0.1555
3rdScott McLaughlinFord2:04.2862+0.1769
4thShane van GisbergenHolden2:04.3818+0.2725
5thJames CourtneyHolden2:04.4759+0.3666
6thCraig LowndesHolden2:04.5702+0.4609
7thCameron WatersFord2:04.5794+0.4701
8thNick PercatHolden2:04.6381+0.5288
9thAnton De PasqualeHolden2:04.6942+0.5849
10thGarth TanderHolden2:04.8567+0.7474
11thChaz MostertFord2:04.9133+0.8040
12thJames GoldingHolden2:04.9720+0.8627
13thAndre HeimgartnerNissan2:05.0358+0.9265
14thRick KellyNissan2:05.0645+0.9552
15thFabian CoulthardFord2:05.1789+1.0696
16thMichael CarusoNissan2:05.3195+1.2102
17thRichie StanawayFord2:05.4607+1.3514
18thScott PyeHolden2:05.4655+1.3562
19thMark WinterbottomFord2:05.5106+1.4013
20thTim SladeHolden2:05.5656+1.4563
21stLee HoldsworthHolden2:05.7075+1.5982
22ndTim BlanchardHolden2:05.8433+1.7340
23rdTodd HazelwoodHolden2:06.0376+1.9283
24thWill DavisonFord2:06.0429+1.9336
25thJack Le BrocqHolden2:06.1325+2.0232
26thSimona De SilvestroNissan2:06.4374+2.3281