Tomsett turns heads in wet opening Bathurst practice

Ryan Tomsett has topped a session for the first time in his short Dunlop Super2 Series career, turning heads in his first appearance in Supercars machinery at Mount Panorama.

Driving for local operation Anderson Motorsport, the 18-year-old Sydneysider set a 2:30.8642 on his final flyer, making the most of the driest of the track conditions through the session.

The first wet session of the season, and the first wet Dunlop Series session since Practice 2 at the 2023 season finale in Adelaide, a large chunk of the field had never driven a Supercar in the wet in a competitive session.

Though the rain stopped early in the session, and the track did get drier, a full dry line began to emerge in the final minutes of the opening session, however wet tyres were used throughout.

With both of the weekend's races to be held tomorrow and Saturday set to be held in dry conditions, with three of Eggleston Motorsport's four-pronged attack deciding not to take any risks in the wettest conditions.

The exception to that rule was reigning champion Zach Bates, who threw the #1 Commodore around the top of the mountain to go to the top early.

Wet laps could be beneficial for the Canberran, given there is a potential for rain in Sunday's Repco Bathurst 1000. Bates will make his Bathurst debut alongside Craig Lowndes at Triple Eight.

Whilst several drivers experienced offs at the bottom of the circuit, the session ran green throughout the entire 40 minutes, despite the inclement conditions.

The only driver to hit major dramas was Cody Gillis in the #9 Brad Jones Racing Commodore, who toured back to pit lane of whisps of smoke coming out of the back of the car, later attributed to a power steering drama.

Tomsett led a Mustang sweep of the top three, with Reuben Goodall and Cameron McLeod both within three tenths of a second of the ultimate pace, with Bates and Jarrod Hughes rounding out the top five.

Series leader Rylan Gray, sporting a new black livery with backing from Viva Leisure and World Gym this weekend, finished down in 15th, one spot ahead of Tickford teammate Nash Morris, who is currently second in the standings.

Practice 2 for the Dunlop Super2 Series begins at 2:40pm local time.