Photo: V8 Supercars Media

Fabian Coulthard quickest in rain-hit qualifying session at Bathurst

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Fabian Coulthard set the fastest lap in today’s qualifying ahead of the top ten shootout, as rain made a surprise appearance at the top of the circuit just after ten minutes into the session, which saw championship contenders Craig Lowndes and Mark Winterbottom consigned to the back half of the grid.

DJR Team Penske Ford driver Scott Pye set the first target of 2:06.7149, while Triple Eight’s Jamie Whincup made a mistake on his first lap, running wide at Hell Corner, but the six-time champion bounced back on his second run to go fastest with a time of 2:06.5248.

It was then Tekno Autosports’ Shane van Gisbergen turn, who put the #97 Holden on top, before a fast run from last year’s qualifying lap record holder Fabian Coulthard saw the New Zealander set the fastest time just as the rain began to fall at the top of the mountain in his Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore.

With the conditions effectively ruling out any improvements, all cars returned to the pits for the remaining 15 minutes of the session, with qualifying effectively over, with pole position set with a time of 2:06.1838.

A few drivers braved the conditions later in the session, but it was clear that no improvements were possible with the rain cloud having passed across the circuit at this point.

At the end of qualifying, the drivers heading into the top ten shootout are Brad Jones Racing’s Fabian Coulthard, Tekno Autosports’ Shane van Gisbergen, Walkinshaw Racing driver Tim Slade, Triple Eight’s Jamie Whincup, DJR Team Penske’s Scott Pye, Brad Jones Racing’s Jason Bright, Garry Rogers Volvo driver Scott McLaughlin, Rod Nash Racing’s David Reynolds, CS Racing’s Lee Holdsworth and the Nissan of James Moffat. The make up is one Nissan, one Volvo, two Fords and six Holdens in the top ten.

Big names to miss the shootout include championship leader Mark Winterbottom, who will start the 2015 Bathurst 1000 from 14th on the grid in his Prodrive Racing Australia Ford Falcon FG X, Triple Eight’s Craig Lowndes, one spot behind in 15th in the Red Bull Holden Commodore, and the two Star Wars liveried Holden Racing Team cars, with Jack Perkins and Garth Tander qualifying 17th and 22nd respectively.

The top ten shootout that will determine pole position for tomorrow’s Bathurst 1000 takes place at 17:10 AEDT.