Walsh tops practice time sheets

Ash Walsh has resumed his Dunlop Series title campaign by topping the time sheets in both practice sessions today at the Castrol Townsville 500 - driven by TAFE Queensland.

The pilot of the Infants Friend Falcon and current leader of the series set the pace with a best of 1min14.33 in the final 30 minute session of the day, emerging 0.24sec quicker than title contender Cameron Waters.

Dean Fiore's Falcon rounded out the top three, with Andrew Jones and Gary Jacobson following close behind.

Although setting the fastest times for practice at the second street circuit on the Dunlop Series calendar, setup issues hinder Walsh's #87 entry.

"We've started the weekend the way that we wanted to, but I wasn't completely happy with the balance of the car on green tyres," he told v8supercars.com.au.

"We've got a little bit of work to do overnight and I can see PD [Paul Dumbrell] has got a lot of work to do and also Cam has got a lot of work to do.

"It's a win for today but I think tomorrow will be a different story so we'll see what happens - we'll try and improve and see where we shake out."

On his return to Supercar racing, Steven Johnson clocked the sixth best time in Practice 2 in his Matt Stone Racing Falcon, followed by Kiwi Andre Heimgartner and Todd Hazelwood.

Returning from an early exit at the last round in Perth, the Commodore of Paul Dumbrell, who currently sits second in the series- 104 points adrift of Walsh - snuck into ninth place, while Aaren Russell completed the top 10.

Macauley Jones was 17th quickest in the afternoon session of his Supercar debut under the racing stable of his father's outfit, Brad Jones Racing.

The 18-year old said he has doesn't hold any expectations for his first start in the Dunlop Series this weekend, where he has competed once before in a Formula Ford.

"Previously, we've had great success here in Formula Ford and I really like this track so there was no better place to really start," he said.

"It can be a little bit daunting seeing as it is a street circuit, but I'm familiar with it and I'm really enjoying the challenge so far.

"It's going to be another challenge, but there are no expectations - we're going to go with it and as a team do the best we can and see where we end up."

The Dunlop Series takes to the track tomorrow for qualifying at 8.45am, before race one at 3.30pm.