Aaren Russell and Nissan win rain-hit first Sandown 500 qualifying race

Nissan Motorsport co-driver Aaren Russell, partnering Andre Heimgartner, won an eventful first Sandown 500 qualifying race, featuring co-drivers only, that was hit by rain and hail, sparking frantic action in the pit lane

Triple Eight Race Engineering driver Paul Dumbrell, who is co-driver to Jamie Whincup, started from pole and claimed the lead in the early stages of the race.

The race was still young when the safety car was brought out for the first time as Warren Luff and Jason Bright collided, sending Charlie Schwerkolt Racing driver Bright into the barriers and retirement.

The rain and hail hit the track as the safety car headed back into the pits with the majority of the field scrambling to get wet tyres while some opted to remain out on slicks.

Three drivers that remained out on slicks were Tickford Racing driver James Moffat, Brad Jones Racing driver Macauley Jones and Russell.

The trio fought hard for the lead, coming together at Turn 4 that saw Moffat spinning off track and Russell claiming the lead of the race.

Erebus Motorsport driver Luke Youlden, co-driver to David Reynolds, came home in second place ahead of Alexandre Prémat, co-driver to Scott McLaughlin, in third place, having climbed eleven positions during the race.

DJR Team Penske team-mate Tony D’Alberto finished fourth ahead of Jones who rounded off the top five.

Triple Eight Race Engineering had a dreadful race with Dumbrell, who started from pole, coming home in eleventh place and team-mate Earl Bamber, who is co-driver to championship leader Shane van Gisbergen, finished 16th as he had to double stack behind Dumbrell during the pit stop.

The second race of today will feature the main drivers and the result will decide the grid for the main Sandown 500 race of 161 laps tomorrow.