Photo: V8 Supercars

Pole position for Jamie Whincup at Symmons Plains

Jamie Whincup secured pole position for the first race of the V8 Supercars weekend at Symmons Plains. The Red Bull Racing Australia driver was just 0.0240 seconds faster than fellow Holden driver Fabian Coulthard in second.

Best of the Ford drivers was Mark Winterbottom in third position, 0.0460 seconds from pole position.

Holden Racing Team driver Garth Tander occupied position four, with Jason Bright in fifth and Will Davison sixth for Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford.

Shane Van Gisbergen is going to start seventh and was lucky to escape from the gravel trap after a mistake in turn four. The Holden driver was beached in the gravel, but managed to reverse out and resume the session.

This weekend’s races features three races, with the first of the weekend being of the new format with two 60 km heats with a 15 minute break between.