Whincup fastest, Mostert spins in warm-up

Jamie Whincup completed the #88 Red Bull Holden’s exemplary build-up to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 by topping the morning warm-up.

As is tradition, teams took the opportunity to perform final balance checks and pitstop practice in the 20 minute session.

Whincup clocked the best time of 2:06.77s in the dying minutes, undercutting previous fast-man Garth Tander by 0.1s.

The performance means that the Whincup/Paul Dumbrell Holden has topped seven of the nine sessions held prior to today’s race.

The #2 Holden Racing Team Commodore ended up second with Warren Luff at the wheel, while the Scott McLaughlin/David Wall Volvo and Will Davison/Jonathon Webb Tekno Holden completed the top four.

Craig Lowndes set the fifth fastest time, raising further hope that the Caltex Holden will be a contender today despite qualifying 21st.

Chaz Mostert had the only major moment of the session, escaping undamaged from an unusual spin at The Chase.

The Supercheap Ford ran wide at the left-hander before spinning on the wet grass and ending up broadside on the circuit.

“On my out-lap I forgot to change my brake bias back and it obviously needs to be different for low tanks compared to full tanks,” explained Mostert.

“I locked a front going in and thought I’d just scoot across the grass, but this early in the morning the grass is quite wet.

“I went for a bit of a slide and thought there was a chance I’d end up too far over (towards the wall), so I gassed it up when I got to the bitumen and just spun it on the track.

“I was pretty lucky, let’s be honest… but the car still feels pretty solid. I think we’ve got a good race car.”

Mostert ended the session in seventh, one place behind the #3 Andre Heimgartner/Aaren Russell LDM Holden.

While Whincup and Dumbrell continued their serene run, there was late drama on the other side of the Red Bull garage following a rushed final practice driver change between Shane van Gisbergen and Alex Premat.

The Frenchman failed to fasten his helmet before getting into the car, earning the #97 Holden a mechanical black flag.

“We weren’t quite sure if he was going to make it out in time and it was a little bit of a brain fade,” explained Red Bull team manager Mark Dutton.

“It’s something you only want to do in the warm-up, not in the race.

“We’ve seen drivers do it before. It’s a heat of the moment thing.”

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will get underway at 1110 local time.

CLICK HERE for the full grid for today’s race.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Warm-up