Whincup winged

A lack of rear grip was the cause of Jamie Whincup’s wall banging accident in practice session one for this weekend’s Castrol EDGE Townsville 400.

But the damage sustained in the turn three accident, which launched the Red Bull Holden Commodore VF into the air, will be fixed before this afternoon’s second 40 minute hit-out.

“The session was going pretty much to plan, everyone seems to be struggling for rear grip at the moment and we have the same problem,” Whincup’s engineer David Cauchi told supercars.com.au.

“On that last run he clipped the wall exiting turn three there and we have suffered suspension damage to the left side.

“We will change those corners and get on with life.”

Cauchi agreed it was better to have these incidents earlier than later in the weekend.

“Yeah, get it out of the system and get it out of the way. It puts a bit of pressure on the boys (the crew on #88) but luckily we have got two hours to go till the next session.

“These guys are good they will smash that.”

The six-time champion finished 17th in the session, while team-mate Shane van Gisbergen was 21st after twice running off and destroying Coates Hire temporary signage.

Completing a turbulent session for the Triple Eight organisation, Craig Lowndes also had a run-off in the TeamVortex Holden on his way to 22nd fastest.

Erebus driver David Reynolds topped the session.