Falcons fly in Friday practice at Sandown

Steve Owen, Cameron Waters and Marcos Ambrose made it a Ford sweep at the top of the order in the final practice session of the day at Sandown.

Owen turned the tables on Practice 2 pace-setting team-mate Waters, edging his fellow Pepsi Max Crew co-driver by just 0.017s in the final 30 minute session.

A best of 1:09.69s for Owen left Jamie Whincup’s 1:09.52s from Practice 1 this morning as the fastest time of the day.

“It’s always good fun around here ragging it around and smashing the kerbs,” said Owen, who set his best time moments before the chequered flag.

“The car is solid and I think it particularly suits this circuit and the Gold Coast.”

Marcos Ambrose underlined DJR Team Penske’s improving form with a fine third in the final session, less than 0.15s adrift of Owen.

Alexandre Premat, Andrew Jones, Jonathon Webb, Steven Richards, Paul Dumbrell, Chris Pither and Dean Canto completed the top 10.

Russell Ingall was just one place further back in 11th aboard the #22 Holden Racing Team Commodore, proving the top co-driver among the four Walkinshaw Holdens.

Owen set the pace for the majority of the session before Webb, Dumbrell and Waters all briefly shot to the top within the final five minutes.

All three of the day’s sessions ran devoid of red flags despite a variety of off-track excursions, particularly at Turn 1.

Result: V8 Supercars Wilson Security Sandown 500, Practice 3 (Co-Drivers)