Camaro engine trouble triggers nervous Finals scare

Finals contender Jack Le Brocq has revealed why he mysteriously finished the opening day of the Tyrepower Tasmania Super 440 at the bottom of the timesheets.

Whilst Chevrolet homologation team Team 18 and PremiAir Racing came out of the blocks firing following the latest parity tweak, Le Brocq's Matt Stone Racing operation had an inauspicious start.

Rookie teammate Zach Bates, who claimed pole in the DUNLOP Super2 Series' Top Five Shootout last year in Tasmania, finished the day in 23rd, however Le Brocq was a tenth down, and at the foot of the field.

More alarming was the lack of laps against the #4 Sherrin Rentals Camaro, which had only completed seven laps in the final session of the day, which was topped by Repco Sprint Cup combatants Brodie Kostecki and Matt Payne.

The two-time race winner, who enters the weekend 23 points clear of reigning champion Chaz Mostert in the race for the last Finals berth, revealed that there was a major scare in the MSR camp, but insists the underlying speed is there.

"Unfortunately had an engine issue throughout practice, causing us to sit out of the new tyre run at the end," said Le Brocq on social media following Practice 2.

"On a positive note, the car felt great, so the team will work their magic overnight and get the #4 back on track for tomorrow morning's qualifying."

The #4 Camaro did return to the track later on Friday afternoon for the event ride session.

MSR and Le Brocq will be hopeful the gremlins disappear for Boost Mobile Qualifying, especially given how competitive Toyota were in their first glimpse of Symmons Plains, landing four Supras in the top 10.

Mostert ended the day in ninth for Walkinshaw TWG Racing. Should the pair finish in the same positions in the opening race of the weekend, Mostert would jump Le Brocq, and would sit inside the bubble by just six points.

On-track action tomorrow begins with back-to-back Boost Mobile Qualifying sessions, commencing with Race 14 Qualifying at 10am local time.