Red Bull Racing Australia’s Jamie Whincup moved to the top of the order in Practice 3 ahead of back-to-back qualifying sessions at the Clipsal 500.
Just 15th in the second practice session, Whincup proved the first man able to lap in the 1:20s bracket during Practice 3.
The six-time champion clocked a 1:20.92s best on his penultimate run, before falling just 0.02s short of improving that benchmark further in the closing stages.
Tim Slade was one of several to set late fast times, clocking the second quickest lap, 0.14s in arrears of Whincup.
Slade’s Walkinshaw team-mate Lee Holdsworth was third ahead of Jason Bright, who ended the session in the Turn 5 gravel trap.
Bright’s error brought out the red flags with less than two minutes remaining, ensuring that there would be no restart.
“We’re trying to make gains and we probably made two steps back trying to take one forward,” said Whincup of the earlier running.
“We’re there or thereabouts. It’s still not perfect so we’ll have to see where we are when everyone puts greens on.”
Slade was also buoyed by his strong run but cautious of bold predictions ahead of qualifying the two 10 minute qualifying sessions, which will set the grid for Saturday’s two races.
“It gives us a bit of confidence heading into qualifying,” he said.
“We have felt a bit rushed and behind the eight ball today. We had a bit of a gearbox drama in that first session and have been a bit out of sync with everyone in terms of tyres
“If we can continue this in qualifying we’ll obviously be pretty happy.”
Marcos Ambrose continued his challenging transition back into V8 Supercars, ending the session 17th of 24 runners.
Tim Blanchard missed the session while his Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport crew attended to a power steering issue.
The first of the two qualifying sessions will get underway at 1535 local time.
VIDEO: Practice 3 highlights
Result: V8 Supercars Practice 3, Clipsal 500 Adelaide
1 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Jamie Whincup |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.92 |
|
2 |
Supercheap Auto Racing |
Tim Slade |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.06 |
00:00.14 |
3 |
Walkinshaw Racing |
Lee Holdsworth |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.30 |
00:00.37 |
4 |
Team BOC |
Jason Bright |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.35 |
00:00.43 |
5 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Chaz Mostert |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:21.37 |
00:00.44 |
6 |
Holden Racing Team |
Garth Tander |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.59 |
00:00.67 |
7 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Craig Lowndes |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.60 |
00:00.67 |
8 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Rick Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
01:21.62 |
00:00.70 |
9 |
Super Black Racing |
Andre Heimgartner |
Ford Falcon FG |
01:21.67 |
00:00.75 |
10 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
Scott McLaughlin |
Volvo S60 |
01:21.70 |
00:00.77 |
11 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Todd Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
01:21.74 |
00:00.82 |
12 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Michael Caruso |
Nissan Altima |
01:21.76 |
00:00.83 |
13 |
The Bottle-O Racing Team |
David Reynolds |
Ford Falcon FG |
01:21.84 |
00:00.91 |
14 |
Holden Racing Team |
James Courtney |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.85 |
00:00.92 |
15 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Mark Winterbottom |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:21.87 |
00:00.95 |
16 |
Nissan Mororsport |
James Moffat |
Nissan Altima |
01:21.88 |
00:00.96 |
17 |
DJR Team Penske |
Marcos Ambrose |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:21.88 |
00:00.96 |
18 |
Team TEKNO Darrell Lea |
Shane Van Gisbergen |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.98 |
00:01.05 |
19 |
Repair Management Aust Racing |
Nick Percat |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:22.07 |
00:01.14 |
20 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Will Davison |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
01:22.07 |
00:01.15 |
21 |
Freightliner Racing |
Fabian Coulthard |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:22.09 |
00:01.17 |
22 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Ashley Walsh |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
01:22.28 |
00:01.35 |
23 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
David Wall |
Volvo S60 |
01:22.63 |
00:01.71 |
24 |
Team GB Galvanizing |
Dale Wood |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:22.84 |
00:01.92 |