Stanaway fastest in wet Saturday practice in Tasmania

Richie Stanaway has mastered wet conditions at Symmons Plains to top Saturday’s sole practice session in the Tasmania SuperSprint.

The departing Grove Racing driver’s best effort of 54.4551 seconds came late in the session to pip Cam Waters’ 54.5071 by just 0.0520 seconds.

WAU’s Chaz Mostert was the third-quickest overall, ahead of Bryce Fullwood and Ryan Wood, who was fifth, despite causing a red flag in the seventh minute. Less than one-tenth separated the top five.

Brodie Kostecki was sixth fastest, ahead of Brown and Broc Feeney, with Matt Payne and Andre Heimgartner making for four Kiwis in the top ten in ninth and tenth, respectively.

Wood was one of several drivers to face difficulties in the wet 20-minute run, with the only red flag coming when he ran deep into the Turn 4 escape road and became stranded in the gravel.

He was towed out without damage, and practice resumed following a five-minute delay.

Aaron Love also had a nervous moment midway through the session, spinning the #3 Mustang entering the main straight. His car turned three times and was left facing the outside barriers, but he kept the car out of the wall.

Despite some close calls, the trailing field did well to avoid the Cooldrive entry, which was half on the track, and Love reversed out to return to running.

Championship leader Will Brown and veteran Mark Winterbottom also left the track at different points but quickly rejoined with no implications.

Jaxon Evans also had a strong run, gradually improving his times and finishing the session in 19th.

Supercars returns at 3.00 pm NZST for Race 17 qualifying before the 55-lap outing goes green at 6.10 pm.

Tasmania SuperSprint Practice 2 Results

Header Image: Stanaway in action in Friday’s practice. Image: Penrite Racing