Shane van Gisbergen proved fastest in qualifying ahead of today’s Top 10 Shootout, but it was a ninth place result for Marcos Ambrose that stole the show.

Having qualified just 24th for the two Saturday races, the former two-time champion showed the first signs of competitive form by clocking the ninth quickest lap ahead of the Shootout.

Ambrose’s time came amid a flurry of fast laps in the dying seconds, which culminated in Van Gisbergen’s new qualifying record of 1:20.008s.

“I forgot there was even a Top 10 Shootout this morning, I was just trying not to be last,” said Ambrose after being congratulated by team owner Roger Penske upon returning to pitlane.

“I had a decent sleep and a good think about it over night and they came back with a stronger car for me.

“I’m just learning the ropes. It’s really hard for me when we’re in competition to really try and learn. I’m fully exposed.

“But yesterday’s races were good for me to get a feel for the car and we were able to make some pretty big changes overnight and get it more comfortable.”

Van Gisbergen had been just 11th and fifth in the two Friday qualifying sessions and was also pleased with his team’s progress.

“We had a much better qualifying car than Friday so I’m pretty stoked and it’s awesome to see Ambrose in the 10 as well,” he said.

“We’ll have to get the tyres working in the Shootout because we’re not doing our times on lap one, it’s on lap two. But the Shootout will be exciting. It’s always good here.”

James Moffat was second fastest ahead of James Courtney, Fabian Coulthard, Jamie Whincup, Tim Slade, Jason Bright, Scott McLaughlin, Ambrose and Garth Tander.

Tander had moved to the top of the order with just one of the 20 minutes remaining before almost being bumped from the top 10 entirely.

Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes both missed the cut in 11th and 14th respectively having joined Whincup in undertaking just one green tyre run.

The Top 10 Shootout will get underway at 1210 local time.

VIDEO: V8 Supercars qualifying highlights

Result: V8 Supercars Race 3 Qualifying, Clipsal 500 Adelaide

1

Team TEKNO Darrell Lea

Shane Van Gisbergen

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.01

2

Nissan Mororsport

James Moffat

Nissan Altima

01:20.03

00:00.03

3

Holden Racing Team

James Courtney

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.08

00:00.07

4

Freightliner Racing

Fabian Coulthard

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.08

00:00.07

5

Red Bull Racing Australia

Jamie Whincup

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.13

00:00.13

6

Supercheap Auto Racing

Tim Slade

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.16

00:00.15

7

Team BOC

Jason Bright

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.23

00:00.22

8

Wilson Security Racing GRM

Scott McLaughlin

Volvo S60

01:20.23

00:00.22

9

DJR Team Penske

Marcos Ambrose

Ford Falcon FG/X

01:20.24

00:00.24

10

Holden Racing Team

Garth Tander

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.26

00:00.25

11

Pepsi Max Crew

Mark Winterbottom

Ford Falcon FG/X

01:20.34

00:00.34

12

Nissan Motorsport

Rick Kelly

Nissan Altima

01:20.35

00:00.35

13

Walkinshaw Racing

Lee Holdsworth

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.45

00:00.44

14

Red Bull Racing Australia

Craig Lowndes

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.48

00:00.47

15

Nissan Motorsport

Michael Caruso

Nissan Altima

01:20.53

00:00.52

16

Team GB Galvanizing

Dale Wood

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.55

00:00.55

17

Pepsi Max Crew

Chaz Mostert

Ford Falcon FG/X

01:20.56

00:00.55

18

Erebus Motorsport V8

Ashley Walsh

Mercedes E63 AMG

01:20.56

00:00.56

19

Nissan Motorsport

Todd Kelly

Nissan Altima

01:20.59

00:00.58

20

The Bottle-O Racing Team

David Reynolds

Ford Falcon FG

01:20.62

00:00.61

21

Wilson Security Racing GRM

David Wall

Volvo S60

01:20.65

00:00.64

22

Repair Management Aust Racing

Nick Percat

Holden Commodore VF

01:20.65

00:00.64

23

Erebus Motorsport V8

Will Davison

Mercedes E63 AMG

01:20.78

00:00.78

24

Super Black Racing

Andre Heimgartner

Ford Falcon FG

01:20.90

00:00.89

25

Team Cooldrive

Tim Blanchard

Holden Commodore VF

01:21.82

00:01.81