David Russell will start from pole position for this afternoon’s opening race of the Carrera Cup after the session ended early after a heavy accident for Roger Lago.
Initial reports have Lago suffering heavy bruising and whiplash, and has been taken to hospital for further examinations. The crash destroyed the front-left of his Porsche during the final minutes in the Turn 4 area of the circuit.
Lago, who is set to race alongside Russell, Craig Lowndes and Steve Owen at the Spa 24 Hour in two weeks time, is one of the leading drivers in the Tag Heuer Carrera Challenge for semi-professional racers.
The incident overshadowed the pole position for stable-mate Russell, who will share the front row with Matt Campbell.
A number of drivers, including defending champion and points leader Steve Richards, were on fast laps when the red flag was waved.
Second place points sitter Nick McBride also found the fence early. He will start off the back of the grid in the first race.
In the Tag Heuer Carrera Challenge Shane Smollen took the pole award.
The first race of the weekend will get underway at 3pm.
VIDEO: Russell and Smollen speak after qualifying
QUALIFYING: Carrera Cup
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Time Gap |
| 1 | 10 | David Russell | Finanze Ezi | 1:14.2666 |
| 2 | 7 | Matt Campbell | Phase 8/Nuveau Constructions | +0.2024 |
| 3 | 45 | Duvashen Padayachee | Darrell Lea Stix | +0.2447 |
| 4 | 777 | Nick Foster | Bob Jane T-Marts | +0.3278 |
| 5 | 1 | Steven Richards | Laser Plumbing & Electrical | +0.4014 |
| 6 | 22 | Richard Muscat | Wilson Security / PAYCE / Geni | +0.4162 |
| 7 | 25 | John Martin | Copyworld | +0.4267 |
| 8 | 26 | Michael Almond | Copyworld | +0.4279 |
| 9 | 8 | Craig Baird | Porsche Centre Melbourne | +0.4748 |
| 10 | 11 | Simon Hodge | Team BRM | +0.6705 |
| 11 | 65 | Fraser Ross | Porsche Centre Brighton | +0.7721 |
| 12 | 56 | Shane Smollen | McGrath Estate Agents | +1.0002 |
| 13 | 23 | Roger Lago | JBS Australia | +1.4262 |
| 14 | 13 | James Bergmuller | MotorOne Car Care | +1.7517 |
| 15 | 4 | Stephen Grove | Grove Group | +1.8742 |
| 16 | 9 | Marc Cini | Hallmarc | +2.1009 |
| 17 | 222 | Scott Taylor | Scott Taylor Motorsport | +2.1850 |
| 18 | 24 | Tony Bates | AFS / TOP CAT Video Prod. | +2.2946 |
| 19 | 6 | Ash Samadi | Apartment Hotel | +2.4485 |
| 20 | 39 | Adrian Mastronardo | Veritas | +2.5357 |
| 21 | 77 | Nick McBride | Bob Jane T-Marts | +3.5518 |
Discussion about this post