Walkinshaw Trio Top Opening Clipsal Practice

01 Mar 2013

It might be a new world order in V8's, but Holden teams have still continued their recent domination of the sport in opening practice for 2013..

2 mins by James Pavey

Lee Holdsworth

Fabian Coulthard

Scott McLaughlin

...

THE NEW world order in V8Supercars has commenced with the three cars operated by Walkinshaw Racingtopping the leaderboard in the opening 30-minute session of the season.

Holden Racing Team duo ofGarth Tander and James Courtney topped the session, with Supercheap Auto Racing’sRussell Ingall third in a Holden 1-2-3.

Held in cool yet bright andsunny conditions, Tander’s quickest lap of 1m22.0154s was 0.3s quicker than Courtney’sand one full second quicker than the equivalent opening session twelve monthsago.

It’s clear that the Car ofthe Future will be a step forward in pace – with teams now targeting theofficial practice record (set by Jamie Whincup last year) of 1m20.53s as today’spractice running progresses.

The team-red domination randeeper than just the top three; Shane van Gisbergen fourth in his VIP PetfoodsTekno Autosport entry, with the Red Bull Racing Australia duo of Jamie Whincupand Craig Lowndes fifth and sixth.

Eight Holdens featured inthe top 10 this morning, Fabian Coulthard (7th) and V8 supercarrookie (and reigning Dunlop series champion) Scott McLaughlin (10th)also showing well at the top of the order.

The Pepsi Max Crew FPR duoof Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom were 8th and 9th,respectively.

Rick Kelly was 11thin his Jack Daniel’s Nissan Altima and first of the non-Holden or Ford’srunning under V8 Supercars new Car of the Future regulations.

Michael Caruso (17th),James Moffat (22nd) and Todd Kelly (25th) completed asolid opening session for the brand new, four-car Nissan Motorsport squad.

Tim Slade was first of theErebus Motorsport AMG E63 entries in 18th position, his 1m23.46s lapjust 1.45s off Tander’s quickest lap of the session.

Lee Holdsworth (20th)and Maro Engel (27th) also completed trouble-free sessions, Germandriver Engel learning the circuit in the process of getting laps under the beltof his SP Tools Mercedes.

“Everyone has been verywelcoming,” Engel told the on-course TV immediately following the session.

“Lee and Tim have been greatto work with and have been giving me as many tips as they possibly can. It’sbeen a good start for us and it’s been great to see how many people are alreadysupporting Erebus Motorsport this year.”

The 30-minute session was interruptedby just one red flag, Dick Johnson Racing’s Johnny Reid stopping on the circuiton his out-lap, requiring a recovery by track marshalls. Reid was able to laterrejoin the session, however only completed four laps in the #12 Ford.

His teammate Tim Blanchardended the session a promising 21st in the #17 entry from thetroubled Queensland-based Ford outfit.

Practice two – another30-minute hit out – is scheduled for 11:15am local time.

(Photo - Mark Walker)