Paynter Dixon Touring Car Masters
John Bowe has achieved his 50th Touring Car Masters pole position in Qualifying for the final round of 2018 at the Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
Bowe’s 1:18.0700s left him four tenths faster than Ryan Hansford in second, in another 1974 Torana SL/R 5000, as Practice fast man Adam Bressington (1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS) snagged third.
Jason Gomersall (1978 Torana A9X), who led the early proceedings, finished up fourth fastest while series leader Steven Johnson (1969 Mustang Fastback) was fifth.
The only incident occurred when brothers Brad and Cameron Tilley (1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO and 1969 Valiant Pacer, respectively) made front to rear contact at Turn 11 midway through Qualifying.
Touring Car Masters will return to the circuit on Saturday for their opening race at 1030 AEDT followed by Race 2 at 1355.
Toyota 86 Racing Series
Declan Fraser ended Friday’s practice running fastest in the Toyota 86 Racing Series.
The Queenslander set a lap time of 1:26.8299s in Practice 2 to lead Nic Carroll by 0.0073s.
Title protagonist Luke King was third, followed by Jake Klein and series leader Tim Brook.
Fraser also topped Practice 1 on a 1:27.3048s ahead of invited driver Luke Youlden and Brook.
King finished the first session eighth quickest, while the second of the invited drivers, Jonathon Webb, was sixth and ninth in the two sessions respectively.
The Toyota 86 Racing Series will hit the track for Qualifying on Saturday at 0925 AEDT before Race 1 at 1230.