Qualifying Race 1 (co-drivers only) and Qualifying Race 2 (main drivers only)

HRT Qualifying Highlights:

• The Sandown 500 has a unique qualifying format which consists of a qualifying session followed by two qualifying races. In the first of the qualifying races is a co-driver only race. Their finishing positions become the starting positions for the second qualifying race which is contested only by the main drivers. The finishing positions for the second qualifying race sets the grid for Sunday’s 500km Endurance Cup opener.
• This morning’s Qualifying saw Tander clock the 4th fastest time and teammate Courtney the 8th fastest.
• In the qualifying race, Luff was quick to react off the start line and held his ground as he knuckled down short 60km race. Perkins was a little slower at the get-go but avoided a three-car crash at turn 1 and only dropped one place to 9th on the opening lap. Luff was hot on the heels of Youlden who was one car ahead but not wanting to make any silly mistakes he patiently sat back and waited for Youlden to burn up his tyres. With just two laps remaining Luff took the opportunity to overtake, and with caution and precision he moved up to 3rd place.
• Perkins meanwhile had trucked along nicely for 20 laps, stayed out of trouble and finished in 9th with a straight car to hand over the Courtney.
• In the second qualifying race Tander had a blistering start and dragged Davison to the first corner. Tander came out ahead and moved into 2nd place. Tander then found himself in clear air behind the race leader.
• Meanwhile Waters swerved in front of Courtney down the straight and into turn 1. There was nervous moment for Courtney heading into turn two as Waters got loose and fired off into the grass. The safety car was immediately called while he was retrieved.
• At the restart on lap 5, Tander stuck like gum to the Whincup who was leading the race. With pole position at stake Tander chose not to risk a front row starting position and sat comfortably behind him. With McLaughlin proving he had good pace Tander carefully watched his back as the laps counted down.
• With ten laps remaining Courtney was looking for a way around Davison and when the opportunity arose he pounced, moving into 8th.
• On lap 18 a tussle ahead of Courtney between Van Gisbergen and Coulthard saw Coulthard punted onto the grass. Van Gisbergen was ordered to redress behind him, handing Courtney a two place boost up to 6th.
• For tomorrow’s 500km blockbuster Tander and Luff will start on the front row in 2nd, and Courtney and Perkins will start on the third row in 6th.

Garth Tander, #2 Holden VF Commodore:
“To be honest I was a little bit disappointed with qualifying today, I made a couple of mistakes on the second two runs and didn’t improve. So I think there was more speed in the car in qualifying.

“We got to the front row in the two races today, Waz did an awesome job and my race was pretty solid as well. We got a lot of information today so we will go to bed tonight and see what the skies look like in the morning.”

Warren Luff, #2 Holden VF Commodore:
“I was very happy with the pace of the car today and we learnt a lot about what the tyre degradation will be like for tomorrow. Being behind Youlden I could see that they were in a fair bit more trouble tyre wise and I just had to bide my time and not do anything too silly.”

“I was able to get past with two laps to go and I was very happy. Garth starts P3 for the next qualifying race so fingers crossed for that and tomorrow.”

James Courtney, #22 Holden VF Commodore:
“The car was pretty good today, although maybe a little stiff for us. The car was bouncing a bit and we were a little unhappy on the kerbs, and probably too aggressive on the bumps. So we’ll have a look what car #2 is doing because that side of the garage was obviously very good today.”

“Starting on the third row is a great position for Jack and myself and we were able to move forward in today’s qualifying races. Starting from the third row; the race is anyone’s from there.”

Jack Perkins, #22 Holden VF Commodore:
“Unfortunately I didn’t make a very clean start which is a bit disappointing but a few cars in front took themselves out of the race. We had pretty good pace in the race and I just got stuck behind a few cars.”

“Overall our car is good and I think it’s a lot better than where we just finished. We just need to sneak forward and start tomorrow’s race inside the top 10. I think we can win from inside the top 10 and we need to keep the car as clean as we can. Now I will watch James.”