Friday Qualifying: Kostecki takes provisional pole

Supercars championship leader Brodie Kostecki has taken the first step towards glory at the VAILO Adelaide 500.

 

But with a herd of Ford Mustangs gathered behind his Chevrolet Camaro as well as his main championship contender lurking in his shadow, there are no certainties but one – the racing on the Adelaide street circuit this weekend should not be missed.

 

Kostecki clinched provisional pole position for the Saturday race during Friday afternoon’s qualifying session.

 

The Ford Mustang drivers set the early pace in Thursday and Friday’s practice sessions, with Chaz Mostert, Tom Randle, Cam Waters, Matt Payne and David Reynolds all proving their speed again in the Friday afternoon qualifying session by setting one of the top 10 fastest times of the field.

 

However, Kostecki – who drives for CocaCola Racing by Erebus – clinched the field’s fastest time on his last lap of the 15-minute qualifying session.

 

He completed Adelaide’s 3.219km street circuit in a time of 1:19.0460.

 

“I was shocked to find that out,” he said about gaining provisional pole.

 

“It’s been a great weekend so far for us and a great feeling to have a fast car.”

 

His main rival for the 2023 Supercars championship – Red Bull Ampol Racing and fellow Camaro driver Shane van Gisbergen – was fourth fastest.

 

Saturday is set to be a spicy race day, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a shower or two during the day which may provide some slippery track conditions for drivers without putting too much of a dampener on the mood of fans.

 

If it does rain, Brad Jones Racing driver Andre Heimgartner says it will be a sight that no fan will want to miss.

 

“It’s the best time to come (when it’s wet) because you’ll see all the action,” he says.

 

Sunday’s forecast is to be fine, which will provide perfect spectating conditions for the final battle.

 

And being the last race of the year, all drivers will be going ALL IN – which will have its own way of creating spectacular action.

 

SUPERCARS

 

All Supercars will hit the track at 9.45am on Saturday for the last practice session with the Top 10 qualifiers set to have the circuit all to themselves from 12.05pm for the Top Ten Shootout to finalise the first 10 positions on the grid.

 

Saturday’s 250km race gets underway at 2.50pm.

 

Regardless of their Saturday race result, the drivers will reset on Sunday with a qualifying session at 10.15am to set most of the grid before the first 10 positions are again determined by the Top Ten Shootout at 12.05pm.

 

The second and final race of the weekend, which will determine the VAILO Adelaide 500 winner as well as end the Supercars season, begins at 2.45pm on Sunday.

 

SUPPORT CATEGORIES

 

The on-track schedule throughout Saturday and Sunday is unlikely to disappoint either, with the support categories expected to step the already spectacular racing up a notch.

 

Turn 8 has been the location for a notable number of crashes already that has provided the spills, while some incredible pace and passing maneouvres across the circuit have created the thrills in categories including V8 SuperUtes, Touring Car Masters and Porsche Carrera Cup.

 

Support category racing begins at 8.15am on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday. Gates open at 8am.