Mostert tops final practice, Randle crashes

Chaz Mostert has fired the final shot ahead of Saturday’s Shootout to top Practice 3, which ended abruptly due to a crash for Thomas Randle.

Mostert, who claimed provisional pole on Friday, clocked the only 1:18s of the session just before Randle crashed.

Randle found the Turn 8 concrete in the final minute of the session while on a push lap.

The #55 Castrol Ford understeered into the wall at the 210km/h sweeper, and picked up major damage.

The 2020 Super2 champion — who topped Thursday practice — qualified 10th on Friday.

Randle ended the 30-minute session fifth behind Mostert, Andre Heimgartner, James Courtney and Shane van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen, who will start 25th and last for Race 33, opened proceedings with a 1:19.845s.

Scott Pye held sway for the balance of the session with a 1:19.445s, with Randle slotting into second.

Randle's crash wasn't the only drama in Practice 3; Chris Pither's car picked up a power steering issue, and Jack Le Brocq spun at Turn 14.

With 14 minutes to go, Mostert jumped to top spot with a 1:19.155s, before being unseated by van Gisbergen's 1:19.135s.

Drivers turned up the wick in the closing minutes with Shootout lap simulations.

Courtney, who qualified fourth, jumped to the top with a 1:19.024s, before Heimgartner clocked a 1:19.020s.

Mostert proved his Friday speed was no fluke when he fired in a 1:18.857s before Randle fired into the wall.

The session was red-flagged, and with 40 seconds remaining, did not resume.

Cam Waters, Pye, David Reynolds, Will Brown and Macauley Jones rounded out the top 10.

The remaining Shootout qualifiers in the field were Todd Hazelwood (14th), Anton De Pasquale (15th) and James Golding (21st).

The ARMOR ALL Top Ten Shootout will commence at 12:35pm.

The first 78-lap race, Race 33 of the 2022 season, will start at 3:15pm.