Castrol Racing’s Thomas Randle has led the way in opening practice around the Adelaide Parklands Street Circuit in a shortened session as Turn 8 claimed its first victim of the event.
Randle on a 1m 19.808s finished the opening session on top from Boost Mobile Racing by Erebus driver Brodie Kostecki, with the duo split by just 0.005s.
Two Tickford Racing Mustangs featured within the top three courtesy of Cameron Waters in the Monster Energy Racing entry, while champion elect Shane van Gisbergen was fourth in his Red Bull Ampol Racing ZB Commodore.
R&J Batteries Racing’s Andre Heimgartner was just 0.371s behind in fifth, with Team18’s Scott Pye, Bryce Fullwood in the Middy’s Electrical Racing Commodore, Mark Winterbottom for IRWIN Racing, Penrite Racing retiree Lee Holdsworth and the second Boost Mobile Racing by Erebus Holden of Will Brown completing the top 10.
The session ended early after Brad Jones Racing’s Macauley Jones hit the outside wall at Turn 8, stopped a corner later necessitating a red flag. The front left corner was damaged due to the impact, but the entry will be repaired overnight.
Surprisingly off the pace were Walkinshaw Andretti United duo Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat, completing the session just outside the top 10.
Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison finished outside the top 10 also, with the young gun in 14th, while the experienced hand was 17th.
Penrite Racing’s David Reynolds was 15th and rookie Broc Feeney 19th in his first Adelaide start as a full-time driver.
The final round of the Repco Supercars Championship continues tomorrow starting with the second practice session at 1:15pm ACDT and Qualifying for Race 33 to complete the schedule at 5:35pm ACDT.