Prodrive Racing Australia continued to lead the way in Practice 2 at Albert Park, with a late lap from David Reynolds topping the time sheets.
Reynolds’ final lap of 1:57.03, completed after the chequered flag, proved a full 1.8s quicker than team-mate Chaz Mostert had managed to top Practice 1.
The Bottle-O Ford was one of a number to throw on new tyres for the final stages of the 30 minute session in preparation for qualifying later this evening.
“It’s a welcome change having a new aero package to play with,” said Reynolds of his new FG X.
“It makes my job a lot easier. The car doesn’t move around as much; it’s a pleasure to drive.
“We made a change on the rear in that session and it was slower so we had to come in and change it back.
“Then we put some new tyres on it and went faster.”
Scott McLaughlin improved to second with an even later effort, bumping Red Bull team-mates Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup to third and fourth respectively.
Chaz Mostert fell to fifth by the flag having led the way for much of the going following an early fast time.
Pepsi Max stable-mate Mark Winterbottom enjoyed a far less productive session, completing just three laps before stopping at Turn 4 with electrical problems.
With the car stranded off the circuit, the session remained green. More than a quarter of an hour passed before Winterbottom managed to get mobile again, only to stop for good on the run to Turn 11.
Michael Caruso meanwhile missed the entire session after Nissan Motorsport proved unable to solve the electrical gremlins that had kept him from completing a flying lap in Practice 1.
The team is changing the engine in the #23 Altima ahead of qualifying this afternoon.
“We’re not too sure what’s wrong to be honest,” said Caruso, who scored pole at Albert Park last year.
“The boys are going to swap engines so we’re right to go for qualifying.
“It’s going to be tough not turning a lap heading into qualifying but we’ll do our best.”
Result: V8 Supercars Practice 2, Albert Park
1 |
The Bottle-O Racing Team |
David Reynolds |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
1:57.0269* |
|
2 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
Scott McLaughlin |
Volvo S60 |
01:57.23 |
00:00.21 |
3 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Craig Lowndes |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:57.30 |
00:00.27 |
4 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Jamie Whincup |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:57.71 |
00:00.68 |
5 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Chaz Mostert |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:57.89 |
00:00.87 |
6 |
Team GB Galvanizing |
Dale Wood |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:57.90 |
00:00.88 |
7 |
Team Darrell Lea STIX |
Shane Van Gisbergen |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:58.04 |
00:01.02 |
8 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Will Davison |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
01:58.35 |
00:01.32 |
9 |
Super Black Racing |
Andre Heimgartner |
Ford Falcon FG |
01:58.35 |
00:01.32 |
10 |
Team Cooldrive |
Tim Blanchard |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:58.42 |
00:01.39 |
11 |
Team BOC |
Jason Bright |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:58.53 |
00:01.50 |
12 |
Nissan Mororsport |
James Moffat |
Nissan Altima |
01:58.54 |
00:01.51 |
13 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
Chris Pither |
Volvo S60 |
01:58.60 |
00:01.57 |
14 |
Freightliner Racing |
Fabian Coulthard |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:58.75 |
00:01.72 |
15 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Mark Winterbottom |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:58.87 |
00:01.84 |
16 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Todd Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
01:58.88 |
00:01.85 |
17 |
Walkinshaw Racing |
Lee Holdsworth |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:58.96 |
00:01.93 |
18 |
Holden Racing Team |
Garth Tander |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:59.08 |
00:02.06 |
19 |
Holden Racing Team |
James Courtney |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:59.09 |
00:02.07 |
20 |
Repair Management Aust Racing |
Nick Percat |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:59.12 |
00:02.10 |
21 |
DJR Team Penske |
Marcos Ambrose |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:59.39 |
00:02.36 |
22 |
Supercheap Auto Racing |
Tim Slade |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:59.68 |
00:02.66 |
23 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Ashley Walsh |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
01:59.76 |
00:02.73 |
24 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Rick Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
01:59.83 |
00:02.81 |