The Repco Supercars Championship season has started and difficult, mixed conditions greeted the drivers as Anton De Pasquale started where he left off after last year’s domination of Sydney Motorsport Park.
Although he led the first session, De Pasquale ended second practice in the grass on the exit of Turn 2 following a wide exit at Turn 1 causing a red flag with just under a minute to go in the session.
The opening session was held in damp conditions as reigning Repco Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen was caught out after spinning while entering the final corner in his Red Bull Ampol Racing Holden ZB Commodore.
Grove Racing Ford Mustangs led at times during the session, making a strong start to its new era with David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth under full ownership by the Grove family.
However, De Pasquale set the fastest time late with a 1m 33.2091s to lead Irwin Racing’s Mark Winterbottom by 0.1942s.
Mobil 1 Optus Racing driver and reigning Repco Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert led teammate Nick Percat in third.
Scott Pye backed up teammate Winterbottom in fifth from Reynolds, Will Brown, Holdsworth, Brad Jones Racing’s new recruit Andre Heimgartner and hyped rookie Broc Feeney.
Tickford’s Cameron Waters was 12th, van Gisbergen 16th and Dick Johnson Racing’s Will Davison 19th.
Mostert ended the second session held in dryer conditions atop the standings, 1m 32.5356s, 0.0704s clear of Waters, while Brown, Pye and Reynolds rounded out the top five.
After major changes were made to his Red Bull Ampol Racing ZB Commodore, van Gisbergen finished sixth from Davison, De Pasquale, Matt Stone Racing’s Jack Le Brocq and Holdsworth.
Tomorrow’s Supercars action starts at 2:45pm AEDT for Qualifying 1 before the Top 10 Shootout at 4:30pm AEDT and the opening race under lights at 7:10pm AEDT.