The opening session of the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship went the way of Red Bull Ampol Racing and Broc Feeney as Chevrolet filled the top five positions.
Feeney set a 2m 07.955s to lead the way for most of the session including topping every sector as 0.258s behind was Matt Stone Racing’s new recruit Nick Percat in the Bendix-supported Camaro ZL1 as Will Brown in the second Red Bull Ampol Racing Chevrolet completed the top three, 0.615s behind his teammate.
There were multiple red flags including one at the very start as an oil related problem arose during the opening lap for Jack Le Brocq forcing the new Erebus Motorsport signing to stop just prior to The Cutting.
Brad Jones Racing’s Andre Heimgartner continued his form from last year to place the R&J Batteries Camaro ZL1 in fourth from the second Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet of Cameron Hill, who enjoys Tyrepower backing this weekend.
Richie Stanaway was the first Ford in sixth, but the New Zealander endured a tough session otherwise when he contacted the wall at The Dipper in the Penrite Mustang forcing some lengthy repairs to be made ahead of second practice later on.
Another driver to make a switch during the off-season was seventh in the form of TRADIE Racing’s David Reynolds as his teammate from last year Matt Payne was just behind in the second Penrite Racing Mustang.
Erebus Motorsport’s last minute recruit, Todd Hazelwood was ninth as Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Anton De Pasquale made it three Mustangs in the top 10.
Those to miss the 10 included James Golding, Will Davison, Mark Winterbottom and Thomas Randle as both Tickford Racing Mustangs struggled, highlighted by Cameron Waters finishing the session 23rd as he complained about the Monster Mustang’s handling towards the session’s conclusion.
Chaz Mostert was another to be down the pack as was rookie teammate Ryan Wood in 21st.
The next Repco Supercars Championship practice session is at 4:20pm AEDT.