Motorsport: Ford cleans up race two qualifying

Ford today continued their supremacy at this year's Hamilton 400 with Steve Johnson claiming pole position for the second and final race of the New Zealand round of the V8 Supercar championship.

Johnson will be joined at the front of the grid by Jim Beam Racing teammate James Courtney, while two other Ford drivers fill the next two positions as well.

Third fastest after the all-in 20-minute qualifying session was New Zealander Steven Richards, one place ahead of defending series champion and points leader Jamie Whincup.

The winner of the opening race on the 3.4km street circuit yesterday, Whincup had looked on target for the fastest time, but saw the red flag come out just as he was roaring down the home straight.

The red flag was waved with two minutes 29 seconds to go after Tim Slade crashed against a wall and there was not enough time to clear Slade's Holden and restart the session.

Two other New Zealanders made the top 10 with teenager Shane Van Gisbergen seventh and fellow Ford driver Fabian Coulthard ninth.

- NZPA