Allen puts rivals on notice at Sandown

Super2 points leader Kai Allen has put his rivals on notice, topping both Dunlop Series practice sessions at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500.

The 19-year-old emerged 0.1589s faster than closest rival Brad Vaughan, with Jarrod Hughes, Jordyn Sinni and Aaron Cameron rounding out the top five.

Jobe Stewart was sixth ahead of Townsville round winner Jack Perkins and Cooper Murray, with Lochie Dalton and Max Vidau ninth and 10th.

Allen’s 1:09.1554s was a class above, with Vaughan the only driver within 0.2s of the runaway Super2 points leader.

Heading into Saturday, Allen is 114 points ahead of Cameron, with Zach Bates — who was only 19th in Practice 2 — 153 points behind in third.

Cameron opened proceedings with a 1:11.3844s, ahead of Kelly Racing teammate Mason Kelly (1:11.5310s) and Bates (1:11.5425s).

Perkins went quickest with a 1:11.1730s as Cody Gillis sailed into the Turn 1 grass after a major lock-up.

Drivers began to up the pace, Murray setting a 1:10.7380s before Bates vaulted to the top with a 1:10.4933s. Allen hit his stride with a 1:10.2935s, with Bates then assuming top spot with a 1:10.2720s.

With 16 minutes remaining, Kelly clocked a 1:10.1756s, before Cameron (1:09.9868s) and Perkins (1:09.8414s) continued to move the benchmark. Perkins went even faster with a 1:09.7559s before bowling a wide onto the Turn 2 grass.

With 12 minutes left on the clock, Cameron fired in a 1:09.7184 as Murray began to charge back towards the top. The Triple Eight wildcard driver first moved to seventh with a 1:10.2822s, third with a 1:09.8402s, then first by 0.0006s.

Perkins pressed on with a 1:09.6866s before Stewart fired in a 1:09.6147s. All the while, Allen had dropped down to 12th, but quickly set the fastest first sector and dropped in a 1:09.4488s.

Vaughan (1:09.3940s) and Hughes (1:09.4119s) challenged the points leader, who set the ultimate pace with a 1:09.1554s.

Vaughan improved his own time, with the Tickford Autosport driver’s 1:09.3143s good enough for second.

Only 23 drivers took to the track, with Antonio Molluso ruled out for weekend with an engine issue. Cody Burcher was the quickest Super3 runner in 15th overall, one position ahead of Thomas Maxwell.

Drivers will return to the track on Saturday with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 11:30am local time.