Mostert leads Audi one-two in Practice 1
Chaz Mostert has opened the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour with the fastest time in Practice 1.
Mostert, the 2022 pole-sitter, clocked a 2:04.0879s late on to set the ultimate pace.
The two-time Bathurst 1000 winner led an Audi one-two in the 40-minute session.
Frederic Vervisch, aboard the Fuchs-backed #55 Audi, turned in a 2:04.3509s.
With minutes remaining, Mostert set a 2:04.2600s and a 2:04.0879s on consecutive laps to close out the session.
The #99 Boost Mobile Triple Eight Mercedes-AMG was sixth ahead of the #32 Team WRT BMW.
The #777 MPC Audi, #888 Triple Eight Mercedes-AMG, and the #10 MPC Audi rounded out the top 10.
The GruppeM Mercedes was 11th, some 1.1480s off the pace.
Jamie Whincup (#99 Mercedes-AMG) and Broc Feeney (#888 Mercedes-AMG) led the early running.
GruppeM’s German star Maro Engel was first into the 2:05s with a 2:05.2359s.
Campbell fired in a 2:04.5499s in the Manthey EMA Porsche before Vervisch turned in his 2:04.3509s.
The top eight runners were separated by 0.8586s under sunny skies at Mount Panorama.
Three classes were represented in the top four positions in the session.
The top two Audis are competing in the Pro-Am class, with Tony D’Alberto firing to third aboard his Silver #6 Lamborghini.
D'Alberto, the 2022 TCR Australia champion, clocked a 2:04.4467s.
The top Pro entry was the #912 Manthey Porsche, with Matt Campbell’s 2:04.5499s good enough for fourth.
Luca Stolz, the 2022 winner, was fifth aboard the #75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG with a 2:04.8037s.
Practice 2 will commence at 11:05am local time followed by Practice 3 at 2:00pm.
Both Practice 2 and Practice 3 will be Bronze-only sessions.
Friday’s action will conclude at 4:10pm local time.
Tickets for the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour are on sale now on Ticketek.com.
