Motorsport: Van Gisbergen fastest in Adelaide qualifying

NZ Herald

2 Mar, 2018 05:59 AM2 mins to read

Shane Van Gisbergen was fastest in qualifying for the opening race of the season. Photo / Getty Images

Only two Kiwis will take part in tomorrow's top 10 shootout at the Adelaide 500 after a dramatic Friday qualifying session on the streets of the South Australian capital.

Defending Adelaide champ Shane van Gisbergen posted the fastest time while last season's runner-up Scott McLaughlin was second to book their spots in the shootout.

The big story of the 20-minute qualifying session however was defending series champion Jamie Whincup crashing his Red Bull Holden Racing car into the notorious turn eight fence, leaving his team with a big job to repair the car for the opening race of the season.

He lost his fastest lap for bringing out the red flag but his second quickest time was good enough for ninth place and a spot in the shootout should his car be ready in time.

In the debut event for the new ZB Holden Commodore, van Gisbergen gave it the thumbs up.

"It is good – we have been getting better and better all day," the 2016 Supercars champion said. "It is a good way to start with the new Commodore.

A pumped van Gisbergen immediately turned his concern to teammate Whincup.

"I hear Jamie is OK and the car should be fixed for tomorrow," he said after arriving back in pit lane.

Andre Heimgartner finished an agonizing 11th to just miss the shootout in his debut race with Nissan Motorsport although his speed throughout the opening day did give encouraging signs about his season ahead.

Likewise series rookie Richie Stanaway showed glimpses of speed in his first ever visit to the track but ultimately qualified 16th.

Shell V-Power Racing's Fabian Coulthard was the big disappointment however, finishing a lowly 18th.

Top 10
1. Shane van Gisbergen
2. Scott McLaughlin
3. James Courtney
4. Mark Winterbottom
5. David Reynolds
6. Nick Percat
7. Will Davison
8. Lee Holdsworth
9. Jamie Whincup
10. Rick Kelly