Davison on top in frantic wet/dry qualifying

Will Davison has moved a step closer to winning $20,000 for scoring the most poles in the 2012 season by topping qualifying ahead of the Top 10 Shootout in Sydney.

The Tradingpost FPR Falcon driver was the class of the field in the dying stages of this morning’s frantic 20 minute session, which was held in drying conditions.

Drivers began switching from wet to slick tyres just past the halfway mark, after which point the times quickly tumbled.

Davison’s fastest lap of 1:29.54s proved 0.6s faster than second placed Rick Kelly, who had set the pace for much of the wet running.

Russell Ingall, Tim Slade, Michael Caruso, Steven Johnson, Alex Premat, James Moffat, Shane van Gisbergen and Tony D’Alberto will complete the Shootout field.

Practice pace-setter Jamie Whincup managed just 14th after a late switch to a third set of tyres while Garth Tander (15th), Craig Lowndes (16th) and Mark Winterbottom (25th) also face difficult afternoons.

Several drivers, including Winterbottom, had their critical final laps spoiled by other cars and a yellow flag around the back of the circuit that flew following contact between Jonathon Webb and the Turn 10 concrete.

The electronic kerb sensors in the Turn 2/3 and 6/7 chicanes were all turned off prior to the session following complaints from the drivers during practice yesterday. Teams were notified of the change on the Local Area Network as the session began.

Davison will be aiming to score his ninth pole of the season when the Top 10 Shootout gets underway at 1200 local time.

“It was a crazy session. It’s always a real challenge in those sort of changing conditions,” said Davison after qualifying.

“When you put a set of slicks on there’s just one dry line so it’s the ultimate challenge for the driver.

“We weren’t the best when the track was damp but the car is great in dry conditions, so as soon as we got the slicks on it was just a matter of going quicker and quicker on each lap.

“I want to tie up the pole position award today. We’ve got a good shot at it but it’s easier said than done putting a ball-tearer in around here.”

Having missed the Shootout, Whincup can now only hope to tie Davison’s pole score having recorded seven over the season so far.

Result: V8 Supercars Race 29 Qualifying, Sydney Olympic Park 

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