Mostert fastest as DJR crashes in first practice

The damage to David Wall’s Falcon

Chaz Mostert set the pace in an opening practice for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 that featured high drama for Dick Johnson Racing.

David Wall endured a wild ride in DJR’s #17 entry after a right-rear tyre failure on Conrod Straight early in the session.

The yellow and blue Falcon spun before making front and rear contact with the concrete barrier.

Wall had been on his way back to the pits after feeling that there was a problem earlier in the lap.

“I radioed in and said I felt like I had a problem so I lifted off and let the cars past,” Wall told Speedcafe.com.

“The tyre looks like it popped off the rim and turned me hard left down Conrod.

“Luckily it was just a glance against the wall. The suspension parts have taken the brunt of it but everything has done what they are supposed to do. The chassis pickup points are all fine.

“Hopefully should be in the session after the next one.”

DJR wasn’t the only team in trouble, with Team Jeld-Wen FPR also left to fix damage after a late spin at The Cutting from Cameron Waters.

Waters was one of six co-drivers to join the track in the closing stages of the session.

“The track is a bit different to the other years I’ve been here and going into The Cutting it just locked the rears and spun on me,” explained Waters.

“I managed to tag the wall which isn’t a great start to the weekend but it looks like it’s all body panels, which is a good thing.”

Waters found late trouble in Jack Perkins’ Jeld-Wen entry

Shane van Gisbergen’s Tekno Holden meanwhile escaped damage after the Kiwi made minor contact with the fence at The Cutting.

Mostert’s 2:08.07s was set in the final minutes of the session and proved more than two seconds quicker than the fastest lap from the opening session last year.

The FPR Falcon driver had struggled for initial balance early in the going but made impressive strides as the session continued.

“Rolling it out we weren’t completely happy with the car but we were still around the top 10,” said Mostert.

“We’ve made the car better but we’ve still got a long way to go.

“I don’t think all year I’ve been P1 in a session so it’s pretty amazing to do that here.

“After coming off last year it’s pretty special. The FPR cars seem to be pretty quick which is a really good start.”

James Moffat was second quickest in an encouraging start for Nissan ahead of Garth Tander, James Courtney and David Reynolds.

Scott McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup were sixth and seventh respectively.

The Red Bull driver did not set a flying lap until the 35 minute mark after pitting on his out-lap for the team to attend to a mechanical problem.

“We had an issue with the tail shafts and we fixed it straight away,” he explained.

“Ideally you don’t want that. You want a clean run in practice but that’s life.”

Practice 2, for co-drivers only, will get underway at 1315.

Result: V8 Supercars Practice 1, Bathurst

1

Ford Pepsi Max Crew

Chaz Mostert

Ford Falcon FG

02:08.07

2

Norton Hornets

James Moffat

Nissan Altima

02:08.28

00:00.21

3

Holden Racing Team

Garth Tander

Holden Commodore VF

02:08.41

00:00.34

4

Holden Racing Team

James Courtney

Holden Commodore VF

02:08.47

00:00.39

5

The Bottle-O Racing Team

David Reynolds

Ford Falcon FG

02:08.47

00:00.40

6

Valvoline Racing GRM

Scott McLaughlin

Volvo S60

02:08.92

00:00.84

7

Red Bull Racing Australia

Jamie Whincup

Holden Commodore VF

02:09.02

00:00.95

8

Repair Management Aust Racing

Russell Ingall

Holden Commodore VF

02:09.04

00:00.97

9

Jack Daniel's Racing

T.Kelly/A.Buncombe

Nissan Altima

02:09.06

00:00.99

10

Ford Pepsi Max Crew

M.Winterbottom/S.Owen

Ford Falcon FG

02:09.09

00:01.02

11

Wilson Security Racing

Scott Pye

Ford Falcon FG

02:09.12

00:01.05

12

Red Bull Racing Australia

Craig Lowndes

Holden Commodore VF

02:09.16

00:01.08

13

Team Tekno VIP Petfoods

Shane Van Gisbergen

Holden Commodore VF

02:09.40

00:01.32

14

Lockwood Racing

Fabian Coulthard

Holden Commodore VF

02:09.50

00:01.42

15

Erebus Motorsport V8

Lee Holdsworth

Mercedes E63 AMG

02:09.50

00:01.43

16

Team BOC

Jason Bright

Holden Commodore VF

02:09.64

00:01.57

17

Jack Daniel's Racing

Rick Kelly

Nissan Altima

02:09.67

00:01.60

18

Erebus Team Beko

Will Davison

Mercedes E63 AMG

02:09.69

00:01.62

19

Norton Hornets

Michael Caruso

Nissan Altima

02:09.73

00:01.66

20

Walkinshaw Racing

N.Percat/O.Gavin

Holden Commodore VF

02:10.15

00:02.08

21

Team JELD-WEN

J.Perkins/C.Waters

Ford Falcon FG

02:10.32

00:02.24

22

Supercheap Auto Racing

T.Slade/T.D'Alberto

Holden Commodore VF

02:10.54

00:02.47

23

Team Advam/GB

D.Wood/C.Pither

Holden Commodore VF

02:11.17

00:03.09

24

Super Black Racing

Ant Pedersen

Ford Falcon FG

02:11.43

00:03.36

25

Valvoline Racing GRM

Robert Dahlgren

Volvo S60

02:11.43

00:03.36

26

Wilson Security Racing

David Wall

Ford Falcon FG

02:12.92

00:04.85