De Pasquale tops first Pukekohe practice

The first New Zealand Supercars session in 1090 days has been topped by Anton De Pasquale.

De Pasquale paced first practice at the ITM Auckland SuperSprint on Friday.

The 26-year-old led Shell V-Power teammate Will Davison after 30 minutes.

Auckland-born drivers Andre Heimgartner and Shane van Gisbergen were third and fourth.

Cam Waters, Chaz Mostert, Nick Percat, Macauley Jones, Lee Holdsworth and Jack Le Brocq rounded out the top 10.

De Pasquale’s 1:02.206s proved 0.2s quicker than Davison’s lap set in the corresponding session in 2019.

"It felt really good to be back," De Pasquale.

"Haven't been here for a few years.

"The first couple of laps, your eyes are wide open, your knuckles are white.

"You remember where all the bumps are, what kerbs to use.

"Heaps of fun, you've got to hang on so tight around here."

The session began following a moment's silence for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

De Pasquale set the early running on a 1:03.174s, with van Gisbergen going marginally quicker.

The balance of the field took on adjustments in the lane after nine minutes.

Heimgartner and Waters dropped into the 1:02s barrier.

It was a smart result for Waters, who nudged the Turn 4 barriers after five minutes.

Through 15 minutes, De Pasquale was fastest on a 1:02.944s.

Van Gisbergen went marginally quicker, but followed it up with an off at the Turn 8 hairpin.

The series leader was one of several drivers to hit trouble at the hairpin.

Notably, Tickford Racing teammates Jake Kostecki and James Courtney both suffered offs.

Brodie Kostecki also avoided a major off at the final corner onto the pit straight.

The top 17 runners were covered by 0.98s.

Cars will return on Saturday for Practice 2 at 11:35am local time.

Practice 2 will be followed by ARMOR ALL Qualifying and the first 41-lap sprint of the weekend.

Drivers will race for the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, which will be awarded to the highest point-scorer of the weekend.