Stolz fires final shot ahead of qualifying
A late flyer has seen Luca Stolz set the pace in final practice at the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour.
Stolz, the 2022 winner, shot the #75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG to top spot at the death.
The German’s 2:02.4337s proved 0.1847s quicker than Maro Engel’s 2:02.6184s set with a third of the session remaining.
It comes after Kenny Habul sent the #75 to the top of the time sheets in Friday's Practice 3.
Three different brands were represented in the top four, with Chaz Mostert (#65 Audi) and Matt Campbell (#912 Porsche) just behind.
The top eight runners were covered by 0.8888s in Practice 6, which featured another accident.
Shane Woodman crashed the #66 SIN across Brock’s Skyline in the early minutes.
Track vision showed the SIN hitting the outside wall after Woodman spun exiting McPhillamy.
The #888 Mercedes-AMG of Shane van Gisbergen/Broc Feeney/Maximilian Gotz was fifth.
The #888’s sister Triple Eight car, the #99 of Jamie Whincup/Richie Stanaway/Prince Jefri Ibrahim was sixth.
Campbell set the early pace with a 2:03.5648s, before improving to a 2:02.7749s.
After the session resumed following Woodman’s crash, Engel clocked a 2:02.6184s to hold sway.
That time looked firm before Mostert began to find time in his R8 LMS Evo 2
Mostert jumped to third, but spun on his final flyer.
Regardless, it was another impressive showing from two-time pole winner Mostert, who is racing in a Pro-Am entry.
Stolz, sharing with Habul and Jules Gounon, then fired in his 2:02.4337s to take top spot.
However, Stolz appeared to ease off the throttle towards the end of his lap, suggesting there is far more pace in the #75.
It sets up an enthralling qualifying battle, which will commence at 12:45pm local time.
The #6 Lamborghini, #74 Audi, #777 Audi and #77 Mercedes-AMG rounded out the top 10.
The highest-placed Team WRT was the #46 of Valentino Rossi/Augusto Farfus/Maxime Martin in 12th.
Qualifying will set the running order for the Pirelli Top 10 Shootout.
