Le Brocq scores shock pole in record-breaking Shootout
Jack Le Brocq beats Cam Waters by 0.0016s in Townsville Shootout
James Courtney a shock third after going first in one-lap dash
NTI Townsville 500 finale to start at 2:40pm AEST
Jack Le Brocq has beaten Cam Waters to Race 14 pole at the NTI Townsville 500, with James Courtney a shock third in the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout.
Le Brocq clocked a 1:14.2467s, which was too much for Waters, Will Davison and Thomas Randle to unseat.
The 0.0016s margin between Le Brocq and Waters is the closest pole-winning margin in Townsville Supercars history, beating the 0.0045s. between Shane van Gisbergen and Davison in 2022.
It was Le Brocq's second career Supercars pole, after his first in Darwin last year.
It was also Erebus' first pole since Brodie Kostecki topped both Shootouts at the Adelaide season finale last November.
"Yeah there's a bit of birthday luck in that wasn't there," quipped Le Brocq, who turned 32 on Sunday.
"Stoked for the guys and girls here at Erebus, it's absolutely unreal, it's been coming.
"We found some good gains in Darwin and we've continued it here this weekend, it's a shame Betty and Daniel [Klimenko] aren't here for this one, but I think we're on the up and we'll keep pushing forward.
"We're off P1 now, so hopefully we can get the thing out in front in clean air and have a solid day."
Courtney, in his first Supercars Shootout since Newcastle 2023, opened proceedings with a 1:14.2964s, despite leaving some paint on the Turn 4 concrete.
Broc Feeney went second with a 1:14.4742s, with Matt Payne (1:14.6700s), Brodie Kostecki (1:14.5158s), Chaz Mostert (1:14.4964s), Anton De Pasquale (1:14.4800s) all unable to make an impression on the 2010 champion.
Armed with four green tyres, Le Brocq powered in a 1:14.2467s to jump to the top, with Randle (1:14.3642s), Davison (1:14.4733s) and Waters (1:14.2483s) all failing to demote the #9 Tyrepower Camaro.
The final 88-lap, 250km race of the weekend, Race 14, will start at 2:40pm AEST.
