Randle tops Practice 2, dramas for Triple Eight Camaros

Tickford Racing’s Thomas Randle has topped Practice 2 for the Vailo Adelaide 500 while there were dramas for both Shane van Gisbergen and Triple Eight Race Engineering team-mate Broc Feeney.

Title contender van Gisbergen ended up 10th on a 1:19.8083s which was 0.5172s off the best pace, but sat out the final runs after suggestions of ongoing steering issues with the #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro.

READ MORE: Dutton explains SVG steering issue

Feeney, who could be deployed to help his team-mate and/or bolster Triple Eight’s teams’ championship hopes, had even less track time due to an engine drama for the sister #88 Camaro.

Randle set the pace on a 1:19.2911s in the #55 Castrol Mustang while Repco Supercars Championship leader Brodie Kostecki (#99 Coca-Cola Camaro) finished sixth at 0.3557s back at the conclusion of the half-hour session.

Skies were grey but the Adelaide Parklands Circuit was dry for the start of the session, with rain having largely held off during the morning.

For most, then, it was their first time rolling out on slicks this weekend.

Grove Racing’s Matt Payne, who was third-quickest in the wet of the afternoon prior, set the quickest first flyers in the #19 Penrite Mustang, a 1:20.9350s and then a 1:20.2634s.

Tickford Racing’s Cam Waters (#43 Monster Energy Mustang) then took over the ascendancy with a 1:20.1257s and a 1:19.9855s.

At the end of the first runs, Waters held sway from David Reynolds (#26 Penrite Mustang), Randle, and van Gisbergen on a 1:20.0393s, while Kostecki sat ninth on a 1:20.3304s.

Dick Johnson Racing’s Anton De Pasquale (#11 Shell V-Power Mustang) shifted the benchmark to a 1:19.9253s on his second run, before Kostecki usurped him with a 1:19.7855s and then Waters returned to the top with a 1:19.5908s.

Meanwhile, both Triple Eight cars were back in the garage, Feeney with an engine problem and van Gisbergen with suspected power steering dramas.

Then it was Will Brown reported a “funny” feeling in the steering in his #9 Coca-Cola Camaro back to the Erebus bunker, while team-mate Kostecki had a close call with Mostert at Senna Chicane when he exited the pits for another run in the #99 Camaro.

Randle clocked a 1:19.4078s and a 1:19.4916s on consecutive laps to put Car #55 on top, as Brown was pushed back out of the Erebus garage to go again.

Van Gisbergen was also circulating once more, and he moved up to fifth on a 1:19.8083s, behind Randle, Waters, Payne, and Kostecki, with the final runs to come.

However, the 2022 champion reportedly bailed out of the car and headed in the direction of the Triple Eight transporter as drivers readied for their final runs.

Brown moved up to second on a 1:19.5677s before Waters usurped him with a 1:19.4114s in the final minute before the chequered flag came out.

Randle was still quickest at that time and consolidated his hold on top spot with a 1:19.2911s on his final lap.

The top 10 thus ended up Randle, Waters, Brown, Mostert, Reynolds, Kostecki, De Pasquale, Payne, Todd Hazelwood (#3 Redarc Mustang), and van Gisbergen.

Qualifying for Race 27 starts this evening at 17:35 local time/18:05 AEDT, ahead of more practice and a shootout tomorrow.

Results: Practice 2