McLaughlin sets record pace in final practice

Scott McLaughlin reset his own practice lap record at the Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint, ahead of Sunday’s ARMOR ALL Qualifying.

The 30-minute Practice 4 had drivers fighting for a spot in the top 10, to gain a free pass into Q2.

Not content with simply making the 10, McLaughlin recorded a 1:08.3985s best to jump from third to first with a minute remaining.

That narrowly undercut his 1:08.4208s record set aboard a Shell V-Power Falcon FG X two years ago.

"There's a bit of me, driving-wise. I had a big think overnight, just where I could improve and work the best,” said McLaughlin.

“The car, we needed to make it a little bit more lively for me. I don't mind it being sideways and whatever, I think it's going to help us in the race to have more turn.

“I don't care if we speedway it a little bit, if we can be a little bit loose and get me turned and pointed to go, it helps. That's certainly what we tried to do today."

Chaz Mostert and Jamie Whincup locked in second and third shortly after McLaughlin’s effort; both more than 0.2s adrift of the pace.

Shane van Gisbergen, Lee Holdsworth, Will Davison, Cameron Waters, Anton De Pasquale filled fourth through eighth, while Kelly Racing's Andre Heimgartner and Rick Kelly completed the 10.

Fabian Coulthard’s tough weekend continued. He made it to 10th in the dying stages, only to be knocked out immediately by Waters.

Coulthard is 334 points behind McLaughlin in the championship, having finished 10th from ninth on the grid on Saturday at Ipswich.

The three-part, knockout ARMOR ALL Qualifying session will kick-off at 11:20am local time.