Six from six in 2023 as Allen takes pole
08 Jul 2023
Kai Allen has powered to ARMOR ALL Pole on Sunday at the NTI Townsville 500, becoming the sixth different pole winner in 2023.
Mount Gambier-born Allen, who won Saturday’s race, beat points leader Zak Best by 0.1608s after 10 minutes around Reid Park.
The Eggleston Motorsport driver became the sixth different driver in as many attempts to take pole position.
Click here for Qualifying results
"Pretty cool to get a pole, massive thank you to the team," the teenager said.
"We tuned it up overnight, the race car was really good, hopefully we can get another good start and get another win."
Cooper Murray and Ryan Wood claimed the Newcastle poles, Best and Brad Vaughan in Perth, and Aaron Seton on Saturday.
Vaughan will share the second row with Zane Morse, with both Ford drivers improving at the death.
Aaron Love and Murray will share the third row, with Super3 driver Cameron McLeod impressing with seventh overall in his Altima.
Wood, Seton and Zach Bates rounded out the top 10, which was covered by 0.4840s.
McLeod dominated the Super3 segment of qualifying, with his 1:14.2483s some 0.9s quicker than next best Jobe Stewart.
Super2 drivers rolled out for their own 10 minutes, and Allen was immediately on the money as he first put down a 1:14.3343s, before turning in a 1:13.8250s.
Such was Allen’s confidence, that he returned to the garage as his rivals tried — and failed — to usurp his time.
Best was his closest challenger, the Anderson Motorsport driver improving from being 0.3657s down to coming within 0.17s of Allen.
Morse jumped to third at the death before Vaughan, who was disqualified from Saturday qualifying, improved as the chequered flag flew.
23 cars will start Sunday's race, with Jack Perkins and Mason Kelly non-starters due to damage sustained in Saturday crashes.
Best holds a 36-point lead over Murray heading into Race 2, with Love a further nine points down in third.
Allen is fourth overall, and is just 54 points down.
The Dunlop Series action will conclude with the 40-minute Race 2 at 1:15pm AEST on Sunday.
