Is it an art or a science? Qualifying for the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000 has brought out some surprises in more ways than one. Why is it that newly crowned Repco Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen, who has proved over the season to be constantly the quickest with 14 wins from 30 races including six pole positions, could only manage seventh fastest time in the Top-ten shoot out? His team mate, Jamie Whincup, with years of experience, couldn’t even make the top ten, starting in 11th.
Van Gisbergen has been moved two-spots up the grid after Erebus Motorsport pair, Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown were dropped to ninth and tenth after they were disqualified from the Top Ten shoot out for a weight breach. Having set fourth and fifth fastest times in the shoot out, it was found that both cars ran with doors that were underweight. (So why weren’t they sent to the back of the entire grid?)
“We’ve obviously been lacking in qualifying pace this week, and P5 is where we’ll start the race tomorrow afternoon,” commented van Gisbergen. “I’m not too sure how to diagnose the car but qualifying is behind us now and full focus turns to the start of the race and how we’ll tackle the 161-laps around The Mountain.
He’s not wrong there. The Bathurst 1000 is such a long race, does it really matter whether you qualify fifth or 11th?
“Coming into tomorrow it looks like the weather will be a lot cooler, and fingers crossed that helps our race car. We had a fantastic car and fantastic pace last year, so we’ve got some focus areas which we can hopefully make better in the race, but it’s going to be a long day.”
Meanwhile, Walkinshaw Andretti United driver Chaz Mostert starts from pole position having clocked the fastest time 2:03.373s, clinching the Top Ten Shoot out award. Mostert will share the front row with Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Anton De Pasquale, who was 0.289s. Cameron Waters starts third with Tim Slade alongside. Will Davison will be alongside van Gisbergen on the third row with Nick Percat and Jack Le Brocq behind them.
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