Young gun Andre Heimgartner and his experienced co-driver Paul Morris have sprung a surprise by claiming the fastest time in the second practice session at the V8 SuperTourers Championship finale.
The #22 Holden finished the final 45-minute practice session on top with a 1:04.825s at Pukekohe, which was three seconds quicker than the best lap in the morning run.
After a shaky start in the opening round at Hampton Downs in February, Heimgartner has enjoyed a solid season, occupying sixth in the points standings in the Hydraulink Commodore.
Tim Edgell (Chesters Holden) and Erebus Motorsport V8 Supercar driver Lee Holdsworth were second quickest in 1:04.912s while the Simon Evans/Jonny Reid Holden in the Team 4 Holden were third fastest in 1:05.001s.
Championship leader Ant Pedersen, sharing the International Motorsport Falcon with Chaz Mostert who is having his maiden start at the 2.91km circuit, were seventh fastest in 1:05.562s with Greg Murphy and Jack Perkins eighth in the Mike Pero Mortgages Holden after a 1:05.643s lap.
Outgoing champ Scott McLaughlin and new co-driver James Moffat where fourth fastest in the Supercheap Auto Commodore with a 1:05.255s lap.
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Shane van Gisbergen, who remains third in the title hunt, was fifth best in the Koba Falcon he is sharing with Alex Davison.
John McIntyre, who is linking with Warren Luff in the Blackwoods Falcon, began his campaign well by clocking the sixth fastest time after enduring a difficult season.
The Mike Pero Pukekohe 500 continues tomorrow with 2×20-minute qualifying sessions for co-drivers and primary drivers ahead of the 35-lap opening race.
Sunday will see twin 70-lap races to decide the Championship which will feature refuelling stops for the first time and tyre changes.
