Whincup paces tight Pukekohe practice

Jamie Whincup reset the Pukekohe practice lap record to edge out local hero Fabian Coulthard in the day’s third and final session.

The final half hour of running ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying saw Whincup jump to the top on 1:02.12s with just under five minutes remaining.

Coulthard, Mark Winterbottom and Shane van Gisbergen all took turns at knocking off the six-time champion before the flag, each falling short by less than a tenth of a second.

James Courtney ended up fifth ahead of Will Davison, David Reynolds, Garth Tander, Jason Bright and Scott Pye.

Dirt being dragged onto the track by kerb-hungry drivers again made for treacherous conditions through the Turn 2, 3 and 4 complex.

James Moffat spun rearwards into the tyres during the early stages, while Chaz Mostert also clouted the barriers in the final minutes.

Mostert’s incident occurred despite the red flags having been called with eight minutes remaining to clear debris from the circuit.

Moffat’s team-mate Scott McLaughlin ended up down the order after a session interrupted by a broken front anti-rollbar.

He returned to the track in the final minutes but managed just 17th after running wide at the final corner.

The Supercars will return to the track tomorrow morning for a pair of 10 minute qualifying sessions to set the grid for Races 24 and 25.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship ITM Auckland Super Sprint Practice 3