Chahda gaps field with late flyer

Matt Chahda has paced Practice 1 of the Dunlop Series’ 150th round in a session bookended by crashes.

Chahda bolted on new tyres and gapped the field by nearly a second with a 1:15.0343s in the 40-minute session.

The privateer’s time proved over 0.3s faster than the time set by Tyler Everingham in the corresponding session in 2022.

Chahda’s benchmark was 0.9147s ahead of next best Jack Perkins, who also moved to second late on with a 1:15.9490s.

Chahda and Perkins were the only two drivers to set lap times in the 1:15s.

Zane Morse led the balance of the session with a 1:16.0039s, with series leader Zak Best second with a 1:16.0363s.

The session was struck with drama almost immediately when Super3 runner Chris Smerdon crashed at Turn 5.

Smerdon’s Commodore picked up significant front right damage, but he returned to the session.

The session’s final minute saw James Masterton crash his Mustang at Turn 3.

Masterton appeared to lose the rears and slid into the tyre barriers, with his car sustaining significant left rear damage.

The former jet ski champion managed to pull over on the inside of the corner out of harm’s way.

Morse ended up third ahead of Best, with Kai Allen fifth. Allen set the early running with a 1:16.5127s, with Perkins second on a 1:16.5735s.

Allen improved to a 1:16.1932s, with Nash Morris jumping to second with a 1:16.1995s.

Towards the midway point of the session, Morse fired the former Cam Waters Tickford Mustang to P1 with a 1:16.0039s.

Cameron McLeod was the quickest Super3 driver in 14th overall, ahead of Jett Johnson (16th) and Jobe Stewart (18th).

Super2 and Super3 drivers will return to the track for Practice 2 on Friday at 12:50pm AEST.