Dumbrell and Wood to Start From Front

UPDATE: The #80 ekol Commodore shared by Scott Pye and Paul Morris has been excluded from the earlier qualifying session. 

According to Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, the penalty has been applied because of a parc ferme technicality. Morris will now start qualifying from p28.

“We had some good pace in the car, we battled with traffic nearly the whole session and we weren’t able to show our true pace. It’s a long race on Sunday so we’re looking towards that,” Pye said.

Jamie Whincup showed blistering pace in the 20-minute qualifying session putting co-driver Paul Dumbrell on pole for the co-driver qualifying race in the #1 Red Bull Racing Australia Holden Commodore. 

And alongside him will be Dale Wood, after Wilson Security DJR's Chaz Mostert performed solidly to bring the Falcon home in second. 

A 1min08.620, recorded by Whincup in the session, is the fastest a V8 Supercar has been around Sandown Raceway.

Whincup was happy with the result.

"The car was better, we've improved the car as the day's gone on," he said. "I got a little bit of a tow, which is always handy around here. Combine the tow and good car, and we're happy. 

"It's only a stat (the 'pole')... but it gives Paul a good opportunity in this race."

Mostert held his ground at the top of the times and with co-driver Wood a more experienced hand, said it was now up to him to take control of the #12 Falcon. 

"We had a bit of an up and down day yesterday in practice, we just went into qualifying with a 'wing it' p set up, but a great car," Mostert said.

"I guess all the pressure's on Dale now!"

While Mostert hasn't featured at the top in the event's practice sessions, he said the car was the best it had been all weekend in the first of the three tier qualifying for the 500km race. 

"Being at the front helps to confirm that... We might find some little adjustments here and there, but it's up to him (Wood)!"

Wood joked about Mostet's effort, though he was obviously impressed. 

“The bugger must have been sand bagging and didn’t put it on pole!" he told v8supercars.com.au.

"No seriously, that’s brilliant and I could never have expected that.  From a personal point of view Chaz is unbelievable to work with, there is no competition and no ego to get around with him.

“It’s just straight forward and we’re both working towards the same thing. He’s put me on the clean side of the track and there is nothing more I could ask for.

“I just need to go out and return the favour. I’m so lucky that this year I’ve been in DVS and had front row starts, if it was my first one and I hadn’t done it in DVS it would be a bit different.

“I feel pretty good about it, I know what my role is here and hopefully I can keep it nice and straight and in a good position.”

Click here for full results from Qualifying.  

The co-drivers qualifying race begins at 2.45pm AEST. Click here for ways to follow the race action.