Aaron Love claims first career Super2 pole in series return
Love pipped series leader Lochie Dalton in Top Five Shootout
Opening race of Round 3 to begin at 2:55pm local/4:55pm AEST
Aaron Love has sent a big statement in his return to the DUNLOP Super2 Series, claiming a home pole position for his first development series start since November 2023 in Perth's Boost Mobile Top Five Shootout.
Love, who has been signed to a two-round deal with Eggleston Motorsport, ended Lochie Dalton's run of three pole positions, to claim his first career Super2 pole position, and Eggleston's first since Tasmania last year.
The former Supercars full-timer pipped Dalton in the one-lap Shootout, edging out the Blanchard Racing Team Ford by just 0.0615s.
Dalton is still in a very strong position to extend his 75-point series lead, and will line up alongside Love on the front row for Saturday's race at 2:55pm local time/4:55pm AEST.
Race 1 Qualifying
Limits were pushed early as Matt Hillyer ran off at Turn 1, but the early form guide was dominated by Tickford, Reuben Goodall going to the top early on a 55.0591s.
That marker was quickly knocked off by Campbell Logan on a 54.9845s, with Ben Gomersall going to second on a 55.0173s, with only 0.07s covering the three leaders.
Zak Best had the track to himself at the halfway mark of the session, though was unable to find improvement by the time the remaining 19 cars had rolled onto the circuit for their final run.
Campbell Logan also went for a trip through the Turn 1 sand, with the debris in the front of the #56 Mustang ultimately hampering his final run. Ayrton Hodson also had an off at Turn 1 in the final run.
Brad Vaughan made a big leap forward on a 54.8938s, but it was local returnee Aaron Love who would pinch provisional pole on a 54.7449s for Eggleston Motorsport.
The two Commodore runners were followed by series leader Lochie Dalton in third, with Goodall and Gomersall rounding out the five Shootout runners. Logan's off proved especially costly, as he dropped to sixth whilst sitting in pit lane.
Top Five Shootout
Gomersall was the first out in the #6 Tickford Mustang. The 2025 rookie of the year kept it clean through his one lap dash to set the benchmark at a 55.3961s.
Teammate Goodall was next out onto Motormall Wanneroo Raceway, and the recent Supercars debutant was immediately up to the first sector, though only by 0.002s.
However, the lap went away in the final half, the #5 Ford slotting into second, though only missing the top spot by just 0.074s.
Dalton was next out, and looking to claim his fourth straight pole in the #43 Ford. Almost a tenth up after the first sector, it set up the BRT driver to move the marker to a 55.2387s, more than a tenth and a half clear of Gomersall.
Vaughan was next up, hunting his third Super2 pole in Perth. The #80 Holden was up marginally to the first sector, but the time fell away in both Turns 6 and 7, ultimately dropping to fourth.
That left local hope Aaron Love, who was searching for his first career Super2 pole, in his first start since Adelaide 2023.
The #26 Eggleston Commodore was hooked up right from the outset, leaving Love in total command with three purple sectors.
