Scott McLaughlin leads the way in Practice 4

Dunlop Series points leader Scott McLaughlin has kicked off a busy day of double duties at Mount Panorama by topping the co-drivers only Practice 4 ahead of Sunday’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

McLaughlin, who stepped into Jonathon Webb’s Tekno Autosports Holden after completing the preceding Dunlop Series qualifying session in his Matt Stone Ford, put in a series of fast laps in the final minutes, stopping the clocks at 2:08.97s after the chequered flag fell.

The lap edged Paul Dumbrell’s best effort by 0.15s. The TeamVodafone driver set his time on just the second of his 14 laps, ensuring he would hold the top spot for almost 40 of the 45 minutes.

John McIntyre and Steven Richards were third and fourth fastest respectively at the end of the running, while Greg Ritter, Cameron McConville, David Besnard, Dean Canto, Nick Percat and Andrew Jones completed the top 10.

Warren Luff and Jack Perkins spent much of the session in the 10 before slipping to 11th and 12th respectively in the closing stages.

The majority of crews spent the 45 minutes making continual adjustments to their cars as they continue to search for a fast yet comfortable handling balance for the part-time drivers.

Shannons Supercar Showdown competition winner Jesse Dixon was the biggest improver of all, lapping more than two seconds faster than his Thursday best to move himself off of the bottom of the time sheets.

Dixon pushed the limits of the circuit during his 18 laps – receiving a bad sportsmanship flag for overuse of the kerbs through The Esses.

Held in warm and sunny conditions, the session was completed without incident.

Practice 5 is scheduled for 1100 local time.

See below for the full Practice 4 result

See below for Speedcafe.com’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Race Guide.