Following on from the Kiwi trio’s good form seen in the first two races, Matthew Payne, Ryan Wood, and Andre Heimgartner had every reason to head into Race 6 and 7 qualifying with an optimistic mindset.
Race 6 Qualifying
Wood was initially late to leave the lane to head out for his ten-minute qualifying. When he managed to get out on track, he reported that his Supra was stuck in first gear and was asked by his team to head back into the lane.
With so much more rubber laid down since the first qualifying session on Thursday, drivers quickly eclipsed their previous session times. Payne was the first to draw blood, setting a 1.46.537 to head to the top early. Heimgartner recorded a 1.47.256, which left him thirteenth.
Wood was able to head back out on track with four minutes to go after a suspected shifter barrel issue. However, the worry was that he would be out of sync with other drivers and may encounter traffic on his lap. His worst fears were realised as he came into turn 12 to encounter most of the grid almost idling around, getting ready for their own push laps. This meant he was unable to complete his lap and finished qualifying in twenty-fourth.
Payne was able to cross the line to do another lap but was unable to improve his lap time. Broc Feeney put in a great lap to record a 1.46.167, which was enough for pole.
Payne finished the session in seventh, +0.370 off Feeney. Heimgartner finished +1.089 off the top of the timesheets and finished the session in sixteenth. Due to his gearbox and traffic issues, Wood finished the session last in twenty-fourth with no representative lap time set.
Race 7 Qualifying
After what could only be considered a frustrating session for the Kiwi trio, all eyes focused on what they could do in Race 7 qualifying.
All drivers headed out for only one or two push laps due to the very short qualifying session – meaning if you made a mistake, it would have dire consequences.
Payne was first to set a competitive lap time, setting a 1.46.704. He was immediately pipped by Feeney, with a 1.46.657. Heimgartner set a 1.47.095 to sit down the order.
Recovering from an unlucky Race 6 qualifying, Wood set a 1.46.424 to sit fifth and the lead Supra. Payne immediately jumped Wood on his second push lap to make it an all-Kiwi third row.
Will Brown, who was elated with his efforts over the radio, set the lap record with a 1.46.020. He was ahead of Thomas Randle in second and Aaron Cameron was third.
At the end of the session, Payne and Wood finished in fifth and sixth, with Heimgartner finishing in eighteenth.
Supercars take the track for Race 6 at 7:35pm NZST tonight (7th March)
