Hanson fastest in Super2 on Friday

Jay Hanson has set the Dunlop Series pace on Friday at the NTI Townsville 500, topping Practice 2.

Hanson edged Tickford Racing rookie Brad Vaughan by 0.1565s to top the final session before Saturday qualifying.

The Image Racing teen’s 1:15.0256s was nearly 0.2s quicker than the benchmark of corresponding session in 2022, a 1:15.1961s by Declan Fraser.

Vaughan was trailed by Practice 1 fast man Matt Chahda, with Zane Morse and Kai Allen rounding out the top five.

Hanson's time was marginally quicker than Chahda's Practice 1 best, a 1:15.0343s.

Points leader Zak Best ended up 10th fastest, although he threw away a purple lap late on with an error at Turn 11.

Super3 driver Cameron McLeod was an impressive sixth aboard his Altima ahead of Walkinshaw Andretti United duo Zach Bates and Ryan Wood.

Nash Morris and Best rounded out the top five, with Jack Perkins 11th aboard his Erebus Commodore.

Morse led the early running with a 1:16.1000s as driver pushed the limits of the 2.9km circuit, many tackling the track for the first time.

Chahda bowled a wide at Turn 3, with Cooper Murray running through the grass at the Turn 7 chicane.

Cameron Crick was first into the 1:15s with a 1:15.7784s, before Wood lowered the benchmark to a 1:15.5126s.

The times continued to tumble, with Vaughan clocking consecutive fast laps to consolidate top spot.

Vaughan, the reigning Super3 champion, first recorded a 1:15.2696s before backing it up with a 1:15.1821s.

However, Hanson nailed a 1:15.0256s to jump to the top in the closing minutes, where he would remain.

Chahda was third with a 1:15.2591s, some 0.2s from Hanson, with Morse and Allen both pithing 0.3s of the benchmark time.

Murray ended up 12th ahead of Crick, with Dalton ahead of Super3 driver Jobe Stewart.

Only 24 drivers completed the session, with James Masterton missing out due to his Practice 1 accident earlier in the day.

The Dunlop Series will return to the track on Saturday for ARMOR ALL Qualifying at 9:25am, followed by Race 1 at 1:15pm.