Ford’s Lee Holdsworth has upset red-hot Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin to top the timesheets in practice for the Townsville 400.
The Tickford Racing driver clocked a last-gasp one minute and 12.6772 seconds lap on the Reid Park street circuit on Friday to finish ahead of Holden’s Shane Van Gisbergen (1:12.6904).
Holdsworth claimed the first of his four career pole positions in Townsville in 2009, and the 36-year-old was hopeful Friday’s performance was an indication of a good weekend ahead.
« It’s good to be back. Fastest on Friday, it’s only practice, but I’m getting more comfortable in the car every time I get in it, » Holdsworth said.
« Here we are, we’ve rolled out with a good car and, hopefully, we can continue that form into the weekend. »
DJR Team Penske star McLaughlin, who comes into the weekend holding a 319-point lead in the standings after winning 12 of 16 races in 2019, had been leading the timesheets until the dying seconds, with his 1:12.6974 fast enough for third position.
The New Zealander said afterwards he had set his quickest lap without using green tyres unlike the two drivers who finished above him.
« The first six laps were race runs and then we jumped on to a bit of a qualifying set-up at the end, » McLaughlin said.
« Not sure what everyone else was doing around me but we didn’t put rubber on or anything like that. I think we’re okay … it was a pretty productive day. »
Holden’s David Reynolds, who didn’t even come out of his garage in a rain-affected morning practice session, was fourth fastest with a 1:12.7545 lap.
Cam Waters, who topped the timesheets in the wet morning session, was fifth fastest in the afternoon half-hour hit-out.
McLaughlin’s teammate and championship rival Fabian Coulthard was eighth quickest.
Ford’s Chaz Mostert, who only ran five laps in the morning session, came in 14th and labelled his day a « waste » after issues with his Tickford Racing Mustang.
It was a tough day as well for Holden’s Jamie Whincup, with the 10-time Townsville race winner finishing 16th on the timesheets.
The Townsville 400 continues on Saturday with qualifying from 11:50am before a 200km race starts at 3:10pm.
A second 200km race will be held on Sunday.
http://www.espn.com/v8-supercars/story/_/id/27122320/holdsworth-fastest-supercars-practice
