Bates pips Sweeny in wild Practice 2

Zach Bates has topped the timesheets in the final practice session of the weekend for the Dunlop Super2 Series at the Snowy River Caravans Tasmania Super 440.

After being hampered by a power steering drama in this morning's opening practice session, the reigning champion repeated his Sydney Practice 2 efforts, beating out Practice 1 pacesetter Bailey Sweeny.

The Canberran set a 52.4847s in the #1 Commodore, just 0.0235s quicker than Sweeny's 52.5082s, though it is still an extremely promising start for the New South Welshman, who enters the weekend last in the standings.

The top three was rounded out by series leader Jordyn Sinni, who set a 52.5709s in the #54 Eggleston entry to also finish within a tenth of Bates' benchmark.

Reuben Goodall also continued his speedy start to the weekend, once again leading Tickford's four-car charge in fourth, though was lucky to get away with a wild ride through the Turn 1 gravel that left him stranded between Turns 2 and 3.

Goodall's teammate Rylan Gray was held in pit lane for five minutes to start the session following a run-in with Brad Jones Racing's Cody Gillis in Practice 1 this morning.

However, once he got out on track, Gray immediately leapt into the top three, and finished the session behind Goodall in fifth, with fellow Tickford driver Nash Morris sixth.

Cameron McLeod, the winner of the opening race in Sydney and second in points, finished seventh in the session after battling with a very loose #92 Mustang, ahead of Eggleston rookie Cody Burcher, who lost 15 minutes with a roll bar drama.

Brad Vaughan ended the session ninth for BJR, whilst Lochie Dalton continued his solid start to his home round by rounding out the top 10.

There were several wild moments throughout the final 40-minute practice session, however unlike Practice 1, there were no red flag interruptions.

Hobart's Campbell Logan performed a similar trick to Goodall when he speared through the Turn 1 gravel trap in his #2 WAU Commodore on his way to 17th for the session.

There was also a hair-raising moment for Eggleston Motorsport late in the session, as Burcher ran down the escape road at the Turn 4 hairpin, and was nearly drilled by teammate Bradi Owen who had a near-identical moment behind.

Image Racing's Max Geoghegan also had several wild moments at the exit of Turn 7, and also went within millimetres of drilling the back of Matt Hillyer at pit entry.

The Dunlop Super2 Series returns to the track tomorrow morning at 10:40am AEST for Boost Mobile Qualifying for Race 3 of the 2025 season, which will begin at 12:40pm AEST.