Castrol Racing’s Thomas Randle has taken the early ascendency at the VAILO Adelaide 500 by topping the first dry session of the weekend in second practice.
Tickford Racing dominated the session as first Monster Energy Racing’s Cam Waters, the stablemate Randle led the session for the much of the 30-minute duration, with Will Brown broke up the Ford Mustang run in third for Coca-Cola Racing by Erebus.
It was a troubled session for Red Bull Ampol Racing squad as first Broc Feeney returned after one flying lap to his garage with engine temperature problems linked to a test day a fortnight prior, while Shane van Gisbergen struggled as his Camaro was ill-handling.
Randle set a 1m 19.291s to edge Waters by 0.120s as Brown was a further 0.156s behind.
Mobil 1 Optus Racing’s Chaz Mostert was fourth and David Reynolds completed the top five in the lead Penrite Racing Mustang making it four Fords in the lead quintet.
Championship leader Brodie Kostecki was sixth after being one of the first to bolt on new tyres as he led Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Anton De Pasquale, Reynolds’ teammate Matt Payne, Blanchard Racing Team’s Todd Hazelwood and van Gisbergen.
Feeney was placed down in 21st courtesy of his engine dramas as Scott Pye was demoted to 11th at the flag, with Andre Heimgartner, Tim Slade, James Courtney and Will Davison also just missing the 10.
Qualifying is up next this evening for the Repco Supercars Championship in Adelaide beginning at 5:35pm ACDT or 6:05pm AEDT.