Waters takes maiden pole in chaotic qualifying

Cameron Waters scored a career first V8 Supercars Championship pole position in a rain hit qualifying session that provided a mixed grid for today’s Barbagallo sprint race.

Drivers were sent out on slick tyres for the start of the 15 minute session, only for rain to appear almost immediately.

Waters made the best of the situation, pushing hard on his first lap to record a 59.63s moments before red flags flew for an off from Michael Caruso at Turn 1.

Although the session was restarted, the conditions prevented any further fast times, allowing Waters to scoop the Armor All Pole Award while standing in the Prodrive garage.

“I’m absolutely stoked,” he said.

“It’s funny circumstances but you’ve got to take them while you can.”

Eleven cars completed a lap before the red flag, subsequently locking in all of the top grid spots.

Chaz Mostert will share the front-row with team-mate Waters despite spearing off at Turn 1 at the end of his single flying lap.

Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Mark Winterbottom and Jamie Whincup filled third through sixth, underlining the advantage of being first out of pitlane in the unusual circumstances.

James Courtney, Chris Pither, Garth Tander and Tim Slade also locked in times before the red and too elected to remain in the garage for the duration.

The bulk of the field returned to the track once the green flags flew, only for a second red to appear when David Reynolds found the Turn 1 sand trap five minutes later.

Fabian Coulthard ended up as the quickest of the remaining pack in 12th, some two seconds adrift of 11th placed Slade’s slick tyre effort.

Other potential front-runners hurt by the scenario included Scott McLaughlin, who’ll start 15th, and Scott Pye, who managed just 21st.

The 120km Race 8 will kick-off at 1445 local time.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Qualifying Race 8