Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing’s Ryan Wood has led the way following the opening practice session at the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint from Albert Park.
Wood led the way to open a stacked Thursday of running as support to the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix, with cool conditions and a fresh track providing a challenge.
Setting a 1m 47.844s late in the opening session placed Wood at the top after PremiAir Nulon Racing’s James Golding had led the session for much of its duration.
In fact Golding’s 1m 48.711 was knocked off by Broc Feeney in the Red Bull Ampol Racing Chevrolet Camaro, then Erebus Motorsport rookie Cooper Murray.
Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Will Davison placed Ford on top for the first time in the session, then Wood bettered this only for fellow New Zealander Richie Stanaway to eclipse it on his final flyer in the PremiAir Nulon Racing Camaro.
Stanaway had speared off at Turn 1 two times during the session highlighting the difficult conditions, as had rookie Kai Allen in the Penrite Racing Mustang.
Wood’s final lap was enough to strike back and secure the top spot, just 0.070s faster than Stanaway.
Davison held onto third from Murray, Snowy River Racing’s James Courtney, reigning champion Will Brown and Nick Percat in the lead Matt Stone Racing entry.
Feeney was eighth from Wood’s teammate Chaz Mostert and solo debutant Aaron Cameron for Team Blanchard Racing completed the top 10.
Most rookies ran fresh tyres during the session as those drivers are allowed new sets for the opening practice session of race weekends.
Teams used the session to learn about the new Dunlop soft tyres, with Macauley Jones running an uninterrupted 16-lap stint.
Practice for the Repco Supercars Championship continues with a second session at 1:25pm AEDT.