Veteran racer Greg Crick will start the opening race of Round 6 of the 2011 Vodka O Australian GT Championship at Mount Panorama from pole position.
Crick, who turned 57-years-old yesterday, set a best time of 2:10.68s during the 20 minute session to beat Mosler MT900 driver Klark Quinn to the top spot by 0.88s.
The Tasmanian’s Dodge Viper has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance this year thanks to an upgrade package consisting of a new differential, balance bar and shock absorber package.
“This was our first dry session of the weekend, and to be frank, we hit the sweet spot in the set up, got a clear lap, and I drove really hard to make sure we were competitive,” said Crick after qualifying.
“It’s a pretty long race around here tomorrow, so the first aim will simply be to get away well, hopefully have the lead into turn two, and get on with it.”
Championship leader Mark Eddy (Audi R8) will share the second row with Phillip Island race winner Peter Hackett, while Tony Quinn (Aston Martin DBRS9), Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Gallardo), Ash Samadi (Mosler MT900) and Challenge Class leader Mark O’Conner (Lotus Exige GT3) rounded out the top eight.
The session was red flagged early when Ash Samadi turned Andrew McPherson around at Hell Corner, while Ian Palmer also struck trouble with an electrical problem sidelining the Pilewest/Palmer Steel Industries Dodge Viper.
Race 1 for the Australian GT Championship will take place at 0800 tomorrow morning.