Kostecki laments costly shootout mistake

Jake Kostecki has apologised to Tickford Racing after making a mistake in his first ARMOR ALL Top Ten Shootout.

Kostecki driver qualified eighth in Saturday’s qualifying session.

It marked the first Top Ten Shootout appearance for the Perth-born drivers' solo Supercars career.

David Reynolds was the first to run, setting a benchmark time of 1:05.481s.

Second-man out Mark Winterbottom then went 0.12s faster; both Reynolds and Winterbottom set clean laps around Hidden Valley Raceway.

It wasn't the case on surprise packet Kostecki, who was third to run but came unstuck at Turn 1.

Kostecki pinched a brake and ran long onto the grass; he was able to gather up the #56 TRADIE Mustang and returned to the circuit.

He didn't set a lap, instead returning to pit lane.

Kostecki’s all-or-nothing performance garnered praise from five-time champion Mark Skaife.

"I’d rather see a young bloke do that, then not try hard enough," Skaife told Kostecki over the radio in commentary.

"The decision of when you put your foot on the brake at 270km/h can be very difficult to do.

"He was also on used tyres so he would have had to brake earlier than what we would have done in qualifying.

"It’s hard to do and he’s only 22 years of age. I feel sorry for him, because that’s just the slightest mistake.

"He was the fastest of the Tickford runners, so a great job to get into the ten.

"Chin up because I’d see a young guy have a real crack, then not try hard enough.

"All the best this afternoon, get on with it."

Disappointed with his stumble, Kostecki lamented his mistake.

"We struggled at the start of qualifying but nailed the last lap at the end there.

"Sorry to all the boys and the TRADIE guys for the shootout."

Kostecki will start 10th for Race 16 at 3.25pm local time.