Darwin Supercars: Whincup takes pole by 0.06s

The Triple Eight driver wasn’t overly convincing heading into the Top 15 Shootout, working third within the single-lap fling after being lawful 13th quickest in Q2.

Nonetheless, per chance aided by a second of cloud quilt, Whincup modified into as soon as in classic originate for his Shootout lap, a 1m06.138s leaving a formidable benchmark for the next 12 autos.

While McLaughlin went stop, the margin lawful 0.06s, no one might maybe maybe knock Whincup off top space.

“We possess been essentially in P13 in [Q2], but we tuned the auto up for the Shootout, she modified into as soon as seriously greater, and I am very overjoyed to salvage pole,” said Whincup.

“The automobile modified into as soon as very factual and I got the most out of it, and per chance we got talented a tenth or so with the cloud quilt. Nonetheless I have been on the opposite cease of that masses of times, so that you desire it when it comes.”

James Courtney modified into as soon as the shock of the Shootout, the dilapidated bettering eight spots from Q2 to qualify third before Tickford teammates Cam Waters and Lee Holdsworth.

Anton De Pasquale qualified sixth, followed by Team 18 pair Note Winterbottom and Scott Pye. Winterbottom in actuality ran final within the Shootout after topping Q2, but a wide exit at Turn 10 within the finish payment him a shot at a entrance-row originate.

Shane van Gisbergen lost 5 spots within the Shootout when put next to Q2, dropping motivate to 11th at the motivate of Gash Percat and Bryce Fullwood.

Chaz Mostert, Andre Heimgartner, Fabian Coulthard and Jack Le Brocq rounded out the Top 15.

David Reynolds, regularly a entrance-runner in Darwin, modified into as soon as a shock omission from the Shootout after failing to salvage through Q2 on a frail speak of tyres. He’ll originate this day’s flee from 16th.

“Bit dissatisfied,” he said. “I make no longer think I’ve missed a Shootout here in a really very long time.

“We’re no longer making the upright changes and I have to search out a diminutive of toddle. I am chasing all the pieces. or no longer it is now not turning, or no longer it is light got rather just a few understeer and we will fetch a device to’t dial it out.”