Bates supreme in first-ever Super2 Shootout

Zach Bates has become the first driver to top a Boost Mobile Top Five Shootout in the Dunlop Super2 Series after a superb one lap dash at Symmons Plains.

The last driver to roll out on track after claiming provisional pole in qualifying earlier this morning, Bates was two tenths up after a brilliant run through the first sector, setting a 53.2142s to claim the Boost Mobile Pole Award.

Bates' marker was 0.0538s up on Tickford's Nash Morris, who scored his best start of the season and led Tickford's three cars that contested the Shootout.

10th in the points standings after a difficult beginning to life with Eggleston Motorsport, Bates was thrilled to claim his third career Super2 pole, as he aims to kickstart his title defence.

"It was unreal, big thanks to giving us the opportunity in Super2 to do something like this," Bates said.

"It's very cool and we call aspire to be in the main game, it's cool to be able to something they do.

"We've got heaps of changes going on out there, the margin's super close... it was a bit of an unknown, obviously running the Hard tyre.

"Just trying to get it up to temp, I don't think any of us had a full plan of what to do, it was just like, let's see how it goes."

Reuben Goodall was the man who drove the first-ever lap in a Super2 Top Five Shootout, continuing his breakout weekend that saw him qualify and finish second yesterday.

The #5 Mustang got a big twitch through Turn 3, however it was an otherwise clean lap for the sophomore driver, who recorded a 53.5472s to set the benchmark for the field.

Next up was Bailey Sweeny, who slid his way through Turns 1 and 2, but still set the fastest first sector before skating the rear into the Turn 4 hairpin.

However, it was a big improvement from the former Erebus junior, who recorded a 53.3488s to best Goodall's time by just under two tenths of a second.

Third out Morris, who was the second of the three Tickford Autosport entries to make the Shootout in a strong weekend for the main game operation's junior program.

It was a ropey start for the second generation driver, who skated through the grass along the pit straight to begin his lap in the #222 Scott Taylor Motorsport-backed entry.

However, Morris continued to improve throughout the lap, and leapt to the top of the three on a 53.2680 to pip Sweeny by less than a tenth of a second.

Series leader Rylan Gray was the penultimate car to head on track, but ran off the road at Turn 2 after clobbering the inside kerb, the only off-track incident throughout the session.

As a result, yesterday's polesitter and race winner will start from fifth on the grid, despite setting the fastest middle sector of any driver in the session on his way to a 53.7208s.

Race 4 of the 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series is set to begin at the rescheduled time of 12:55pm AEST.