Nissans quick in Ipswich

The Nissans have found speed early in Ipswich, with Michael Caruso topping the first practice session and Todd Kelly finishing close behind in third.

Dressed in a new livery this weekend, Caruso’s Altima delivered a 1min10.333 alp in the closing minutes, bettering Scott Pye’s DJR Team Penske Falcon by 0.061sec.

The Nissan driver achieved a win in Darwin two events ago and sits seventh in the Championship after leading post Clipsal 500. 

“Not a bad way to start off the weekend,” Caruso said.

“Practice here has been good – the first test then shakedown,” Pye said of this year’s running.

“If the car’s good we’ll be somewhere near the front hopefully. Tyres were the game in that one… I think we’re competitive we just need to tune it up some more.”

Brad Jones Racing made an impact late in the session, locking out positions four and five with Jason Bright and Tim Slade behind the wheel.

Shane van Gisbergen was the first of the Triple Eight cars home in sixth, with teammates Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes 18th and 22nd respectively.

Craig Baird, who stands in with Erebus this weekend, finished 26th and 0.1495sec off Kurt Kostecki, who races at Queensland Raceway for the first time subbing for injured Lee Holdsworth.

Click here for full results.

The Supercars have another hour-long practice session this afternoon at 4.10pm local time.