Van Gisbergen dominates final Sydney practice

Shane van Gisbergen has completed a practice double at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight with a dominant showing in Practice 2.

Van Gisbergen, who is racing in Triple Eight’s wildcard chassis this weekend, was nearly 0.2s clear at the top.

The #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro appears the car to beat at Sydney Motorsport Park, with van Gisbergen fastest in Practice 1.

Van Gisbergen was 0.42s ahead of his nearest rival midway through the 30-minute session, which was held under cloudy Western Sydney skies.

Later, van Gisbergen dropped in a 1:29.9131s — the fastest time of the day — in the dying seconds to improve his benchmark.

Brad Jones Racing’s Andre Heimgartner was second, turning in a 1:30.1086s as the chequered flag flew.

Erebus Motorsport’s Brodie Kostecki (#99 Coca-Cola Camaro) and Matt Stone Racing’s Jack Le Brocq (#34 Truck Assist Camaro) completed a Camaro top four.

Tickford Racing's Cam Waters was best of the Fords in fifth with a 1:30.4768s in the #6 Monster Energy Mustang.

It was a different story across the Red Bull Ampol Racing garage, with Broc Feeney 25th and last due to car problems.

Feeney, who is third in the championship, hopped out of the #88 Red Bull Ampol Camaro midway through the session due to reported starter motor issues.

Kostecki dropped in a 1:30.6767s to be fastest after the first runs ahead of teammate Will Brown (#9 Coca-Cola Camaro) on a 1:30.7358s and Heimgartner on a 1:30.8087s.

Waters edged Kostecki with a 1:30.6513s in his second run, with Ford rival Anton De Pasquale (#11 Shell V-Power Mustang) going fourth on a 1:30.7544s.

Team 18 veteran Mark Winterbottom put the #18 DEWALT Camaro on top with a 1:30.5025s, with Bryce Fullwood (#14 Middy’s Camaro) second on a 1:30.5974s.

Van Gisbergen’s benchmark from Practice 1 — 1:30.4941s — remained unbeaten before the Kiwi himself put a margin on the field.

The two-time Bathurst winner powered to top spot with a 1:30.0832s with 10 minutes remaining.

Van Gisbergen reported more handling issues in his #97 Camaro, which is a different chassis — Triple Eight’s wildcard chassis — this weekend.

The entire field sans Feeney returned to the field for final runs, and Le Brocq improved to second on a 1:30.4540s.

Kostecki pushed Le Brocq to third with a 1:30.1934s, before Waters clocked a 1:30.4768s to rise to fourth.

Van Gisbergen improved to a 1:29.9131s to put more space between himself and his rivals, although Heimgartner improve to second by the flag.

Van Gisbergen managed to set his fast time after picking up a track limits violation at Turn 5.

Winterbottom was sixth ahead of Fullwood, Brown, Will Davison (#17 Shell V-Power Mustang) and Chaz Mostert (#25 Mobil 1 Optus Mustang).

Knockout qualifying at 4:45pm local time/AEST will set the grid for the 51-lap Race 18, which will launch at 7:35pm.