Everingham pips Best in first Super2 practice

Tyler Everingham was class of the field in opening Super2 practice at the NTI Townsville 500.

Everingham clocked a 1:15.15.379s early on to top the 40-minute session.

The MW Motorsport driver’s time proved just 0.05s quicker than Zak Best.

Tickford Racing driver Best returns to Super2 after his solo Supercars debut in Darwin.

The top 11 drivers were covered by 0.97s.

Matt Chahda impressed to third, just days after his Repco Bathurst 1000 wildcard was confirmed.

Chahda was just 0.11s off Everingham’s pace, with Triple Eight teammates Cameron Hill and Declan Fraser fourth and fifth.

Points leader Matt Payne was sixth, 0.48s off fellow Altima driver Everingham’s pace.

The session was paused briefly due to a red flag triggered by James Masterton.

Kai Allen was again the class leader in Super3, with the Eggleston teenager 14th overall.

Allen’s best time was 0.3s quicker than his next best Super3 rival Brad Vaughan.

Aaron Seton was seventh ahead of Tim Blanchard, who is returning for a one-off start with Eggleston Motorsport.

Blanchard is substituting for Matt McLean, who will return at Sandown.

Zane Morse, Jaylyn Robotham, Thomas Maxwell, Cameron Crick and Ryal Harris filled positions nine through 13.

Super2 and Super3 drivers will return for Practice 2 at 12:05pm local time.

Qualifying for the opening race will commence at 9:05am on Saturday morning.