Winterbottom fastest in wet final practice

Prodrive’s Mark Winterbottom set the fastest time in Practice 3 as heavy rain returned to Barbagallo Raceway.

A downpour just five minutes prior to the start of the 15 minute session ensured that the track was wet for its duration.

Although conditions gradually improved, Winterbottom’s best of 1:03.31s proved over seven seconds adrift of the fastest dry time from Friday.

“The wet weather has bene a weakness for me in the past so it’s nice to go out, top a session, get some confidence and have some fun,” said Winterbottom.

Scott McLaughlin was second fastest, 0.2s adrift of the Ford driver in what was a mixed session for Volvo.

Team-mate James Moffat had earlier coasted into pitlane with no oil pressure, likely necessitating a rapid engine change before qualifying in just 50 minutes time.

“They don’t run too good without any oil pressure in them,” shrugged Moffat.

“A quick diagnosis doesn’t look too flash, so hopefully the boys can throw another engine in before qualifying.

“There isn’t much time between sessions but they’ll do their best to get it out for qualy.”

Craig Lowndes and Rick Kelly were third and fourth on the timesheets respectively ahead of the Fords of Fabian Coulthard, Chaz Mostert and Scott Pye.

Despite the tricky conditions, the session ran green for its duration with no notable incidents.

Intermittent showers are expected to continue to hit the Perth venue throughout the day.

Result: Virgin Australia V8 Supercars Perth Super Sprint Practice 3