Shane van Gisbergen proved fastest in qualifying ahead of today’s Top 10 Shootout, but it was a ninth place result for Marcos Ambrose that stole the show.
Having qualified just 24th for the two Saturday races, the former two-time champion showed the first signs of competitive form by clocking the ninth quickest lap ahead of the Shootout.
Ambrose’s time came amid a flurry of fast laps in the dying seconds, which culminated in Van Gisbergen’s new qualifying record of 1:20.008s.
“I forgot there was even a Top 10 Shootout this morning, I was just trying not to be last,” said Ambrose after being congratulated by team owner Roger Penske upon returning to pitlane.
“I had a decent sleep and a good think about it over night and they came back with a stronger car for me.
“I’m just learning the ropes. It’s really hard for me when we’re in competition to really try and learn. I’m fully exposed.
“But yesterday’s races were good for me to get a feel for the car and we were able to make some pretty big changes overnight and get it more comfortable.”
Van Gisbergen had been just 11th and fifth in the two Friday qualifying sessions and was also pleased with his team’s progress.
“We had a much better qualifying car than Friday so I’m pretty stoked and it’s awesome to see Ambrose in the 10 as well,” he said.
“We’ll have to get the tyres working in the Shootout because we’re not doing our times on lap one, it’s on lap two. But the Shootout will be exciting. It’s always good here.”
James Moffat was second fastest ahead of James Courtney, Fabian Coulthard, Jamie Whincup, Tim Slade, Jason Bright, Scott McLaughlin, Ambrose and Garth Tander.
Tander had moved to the top of the order with just one of the 20 minutes remaining before almost being bumped from the top 10 entirely.
Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes both missed the cut in 11th and 14th respectively having joined Whincup in undertaking just one green tyre run.
The Top 10 Shootout will get underway at 1210 local time.
VIDEO: V8 Supercars qualifying highlights
Result: V8 Supercars Race 3 Qualifying, Clipsal 500 Adelaide
1 |
Team TEKNO Darrell Lea |
Shane Van Gisbergen |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.01 |
|
2 |
Nissan Mororsport |
James Moffat |
Nissan Altima |
01:20.03 |
00:00.03 |
3 |
Holden Racing Team |
James Courtney |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.08 |
00:00.07 |
4 |
Freightliner Racing |
Fabian Coulthard |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.08 |
00:00.07 |
5 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Jamie Whincup |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.13 |
00:00.13 |
6 |
Supercheap Auto Racing |
Tim Slade |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.16 |
00:00.15 |
7 |
Team BOC |
Jason Bright |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.23 |
00:00.22 |
8 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
Scott McLaughlin |
Volvo S60 |
01:20.23 |
00:00.22 |
9 |
DJR Team Penske |
Marcos Ambrose |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:20.24 |
00:00.24 |
10 |
Holden Racing Team |
Garth Tander |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.26 |
00:00.25 |
11 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Mark Winterbottom |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:20.34 |
00:00.34 |
12 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Rick Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
01:20.35 |
00:00.35 |
13 |
Walkinshaw Racing |
Lee Holdsworth |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.45 |
00:00.44 |
14 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Craig Lowndes |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.48 |
00:00.47 |
15 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Michael Caruso |
Nissan Altima |
01:20.53 |
00:00.52 |
16 |
Team GB Galvanizing |
Dale Wood |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.55 |
00:00.55 |
17 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Chaz Mostert |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
01:20.56 |
00:00.55 |
18 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Ashley Walsh |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
01:20.56 |
00:00.56 |
19 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Todd Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
01:20.59 |
00:00.58 |
20 |
The Bottle-O Racing Team |
David Reynolds |
Ford Falcon FG |
01:20.62 |
00:00.61 |
21 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
David Wall |
Volvo S60 |
01:20.65 |
00:00.64 |
22 |
Repair Management Aust Racing |
Nick Percat |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:20.65 |
00:00.64 |
23 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Will Davison |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
01:20.78 |
00:00.78 |
24 |
Super Black Racing |
Andre Heimgartner |
Ford Falcon FG |
01:20.90 |
00:00.89 |
25 |
Team Cooldrive |
Tim Blanchard |
Holden Commodore VF |
01:21.82 |
00:01.81 |