Bathurst: Kostecki fastest in pre-qualifying hit-out, Stanaway & Evans impress

Reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki has topped this afternoon’s one-hour pre-qualifying hit-out at Bathurst with a 2m 06.1820-second effort.

The time, the fastest of the weekend so far, was over one-and-a-half tenths to the good of Cam Waters, while Broc Feeney was over three tenths behind in third.

Defending Bathurst 1000 champion Richie Stanaway continues to show good pace at Mount Panorama and was fourth fastest, one place ahead of fellow Kiwi Jaxon Evans, a surprise addition to the top five from a late flyer.

Evans was already in the mix before his final flyer and sat 12th, before setting the fastest first sector overall and personal bests through sectors two and three to leap to fifth as the chequered flag was flown.

David Reynolds, James Golding, Will Brown, Anton De Pasquale, and Jack Le Brocq completed the top ten.

Andre Heimgartner was 11th, nearly eight-tenths off Kostecki’s benchmark, while Matt Payne was 14th, and Ryan Wood 16th.

The one-hour session was a stark contrast to this morning’s third practice, where three red flags, including two from crashes, severely limited run time.

Both Matt Stone Racing cars, which were heavily damaged in separate crashes in Practice 3, returned to the track mid-way through the session to complete a combined 21 laps.

There were no interruptions in fourth practice, with the only incident of note coming in the final minute when Cooper Murray crashed after running wide at McPhillamy Park, cutting Brock’s Skyline and sliding into the outside wall at The Dipper.

Murray kept the #888 wildcard out of the outside wall on rebound, and was able to limp back to pit lane.

Just six of 26 primary drivers shared their cars with their co-driver in practice 4, including Payne.

Grid positions 11-26 will be determined in this evening’s timed qualifying session, which begins at 6.15 pm NZST, while the top ten cars will qualify for Saturday evening’s Top 10 Shootout.

Bathurst 1000 Practice 4 Results

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