Prodrive Racing (Australia)’s efforts on Friday were rewarded on Saturday, as all four cars will start at the sharp end of the 26-car grid, with Mark Winterbottom (#5 The Bottle-O 1977 Tribute FG X) leading the quartet. Winterbottom qualified third and Chaz Mostert (#55 Supercheap Auto FG X) fourth in the unique one-lap flyer session, and all four Prodrive cars will start in the top eight for tomorrow’s 1000-kilometre race. Prodrive Racing is the first team in the history of the event to place four cars in the Shootout, and all four will start in the first four rows.
Sandown 500 winner Cameron Waters (#6 Monster Energy FG X) qualified sixth, while 1998 Bathurst 1000 winner Jason Bright placed the #56 MEGA Fuels FG X eighth on the grid for Australia’s Great Race.
Tomorrow’s 161-lap race around the famed Mount Panorama begins at 11a.m. AEDT.
DRIVERS’ VIEW
#5 The Bottle-O PRA Ford
Qualifying: 3rd, 2m04.50s
Mark Winterbottom
“It’s kind of bizarre, really. Obviously we’re paying tribute to Allan Moffat’s car from 1977, he started third that year and we’re starting third this year. We made good gains with the car between the last practice and the Shootout. What hurt us most was that every time we went out it was doing something different, but we fixed the brake-locking issues we had been having, so I was pretty happy with that session. It’s a long race tomorrow, and with rain in the forecast it’s anyone’s guess what will happen, so we’ll roll out, give it a crack and see what we can do.”
#6 Monster Energy PRA Ford
Qualifying: 6th, 2m04.68s
Cameron Waters
“It was obviously pretty special to be in the Shootout, so it was cool to get track to yourself and get a good lap. Overall I was probably not super happy with my lap, but good to be starting sixth, and it’s a long day tomorrow.”
#55 Supercheap Auto PRA Ford
Qualifying: 4th, 2m04.59s
Chaz Mostert
“Top ten, done and dusted. I was the eighth car out, and just didn’t really realise how much grip was out there. My mate Mark Winterbottom snuck a quicker time than me, but still really happy to be on the second row. We’re P4 in the end, and obviously congratulations to Scotty Mac. That’s an impressive time, one lap 2:03. We didn’t have it quite today in our car, we’ll get there eventually, but long race tomorrow. The car feels pretty pacey, I think it’s a bit better race car than a qualifying car.”
#56 MEGA Fuels PRA Ford
Qualifying: 8th, 2m05.23s
Jason Bright
“I’m pretty pleased with the result. We were a tenth slower than yesterday, but we moved up a spot compared to yesterday, which I’m happy with. I think there was a little more in the car on the lap, but you never really know at that point, especially going out second, so nothing to be upset about. The team’s all placed well, so we’ll go out tomorrow and see what happens.”
Tim Edwards, Team Principal:
“We knew it was going to be tough to get pole, but to have all four cars in the top eight is tremendous. The team have done a great job preparing the cars, and the drivers have done their part to get us into good position for the start of the race. Bathurst is always a bit wild, and if it rains it will be even wilder, but we’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
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