{"id":316,"date":"2016-10-08T10:41:51","date_gmt":"2016-10-08T14:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonmotorsport.com\/?p=316"},"modified":"2016-10-08T10:41:51","modified_gmt":"2016-10-08T14:41:51","slug":"bathurst-qualifying-top-ten-shootout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2016\/10\/08\/bathurst-qualifying-top-ten-shootout\/","title":{"rendered":"Bathurst Qualifying Top Ten Shootout"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Bathurst 1000<\/strong> race about to be held, qualifying was held this afternoon. A high-point for all the race engineers and crews, who focus on gaining every meter of speed from their machinery. The\u00a0Top Ten Shootout<\/strong> determines who leads out the race Sunday morning, but it was much a competition ‘within a race’.<\/p>\n

Qualifying for the SuperCheap Autos Bathurst 1000<\/a> began on Thursday, with preparations in place since Tuesday. Practice #1 was for all drivers, as the event was scheduled so that there were ‘open qualifying sessions’ as well as Driver and Co-Driver sessions. The following two days saw six sessions that culminated in a provisional result–and the top ten cars invited to compete in the Armor All<\/em> ‘shootout’.<\/p>\n

The early pace was set by Red Bull Racing Australia<\/strong>, and as each lap was laid down, more grip was added to the surface, the pace quickened. Jamie Whincup<\/strong>, and his co-driver Paul Dumbrel<\/strong> have been fast since the Commodore rolled off the Truck. Every other side are in awe of their ability to hit the track ‘rolling’.<\/p>\n

His Bathurst<\/em> winning team mate Craig Lowndes<\/strong> had the complete opposite, with no pace or consistency. And that is the difficulty–the same team [Triple Eight Racing] and each car performs in dramatically different ways.<\/p>\n

Top Ten Shootout<\/h2>\n

The form guide had reinforced much of the pre-race predictions. The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship\u00a0<\/em>leading drivers each [mainly] performed. The Volvo<\/strong> of Scott<\/strong> McLaughlin<\/strong> held up the V60 flag, with the Nissan also fairing well.<\/p>\n

Dressed in the colours of the 1991 winning Godzilla<\/em> Skyline, Michael Caruso<\/strong> has peaked at the right time. He was among a talented group to compete for the coveted Pole Position, which ultimately went to the multi-series Champion, Jamie Whincup.<\/p>\n

The Top Ten Shootout drivers were<\/span>:\u00a0Garth Tander, Scott Pye, Mark Winterbottom, Shane van Gisbergen, Fabian Coulthard, Chaz Mostert, Tim Slade<\/strong>, Caruso, McLauglin and Whincup.<\/p>\n

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The grid is now set. <\/p>\n

Catch the Woodstock highlights from an intense Top 10 Shootout. #Bathurst1000<\/a> #VASC<\/a><\/p>\n

VIDEO: https:\/\/t.co\/umRT9fWQYn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/K3MNGzCIRc<\/a><\/p>\n

— Supercars (@supercars) October 8, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n