Team 18 have completed the first day of on-track running at the Repco Bathurst 1000, in a day featuring strong pace from both IRWIN Racing and Alspec Racing Supercars.

Two practice sessions were held today, the first session for all drivers while the second session was solely for the co-drivers.

IRWIN Racing’s Mark Winterbottom did all of the running in Practice 1. After some earlier braking issues, he was on track for a competitive lap time to finish before a late red-flag was brought out to declare the session with over three minutes remaining.

Michael Caruso took the reigns for the second session and placed 25th.

Scott Pye and Tyler Everingham shared the Alspec Racing Team 18 Holden in Practice 1, with Pye sitting in the top five for the majority of the session.

Everingham completed several race runs in Practice 2, and finished 12th fastest as he continues to settle in to the Alspec Racing Holden.

Team 18 are back on track tomorrow for two further practice sessions at 10:10am and 1:00pm before qualifying for The Great Race at 4:15pm.

Saturday’s action will see two more practice sessions at 10:20am and 1:00pm, before the Top 10 Shootout at 5:05pm to set the grid for The Great Race.

All the action can be viewed live on Fox Sports and Kayo, with free-to-air coverage live on Channel 7 across the weekend, starting on Friday.

RESULTS & QUOTES

Scott Pye/Tyler Everingham, #20 Alspec Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

Practice 1: P12 (2:05.5618)
Practice 2  P12 (2:05.2801)

Mark Winterbottom/Michael Caruso, #18 Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

Practice 1: P17 (2:06.1370)
Practice 2  P25 (2:06.3156)

Scott Pye, driver #20 Alspec Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

“Great session to start the day, got out of the car with about ten minutes remaining and we were fourth, so I think the car is in the window, and then Tyler had his session in the afternoon and did a great job, so looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”

Tyler Everingham, co-driver #20 Alspec Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

“Pretty busy day running both Super 2 and Supercars, but I’m coping well.

“Got to jump in and do a few laps in Practice 1 this morning, and felt pretty comfortable straight away.

“The second session was quite good, we didn’t quite get the tyre on like we wanted, but still a good session to end up twelfth.

“It was good to get the full session in and make sure everything’s sorted for the rest of the weekend, we had a new seat pour after Winton and it felt great in the seat today.” 

Mark Winterbottom, driver #18 Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

“Happy with how the day went. We had a few little issues with brakes early in the day but we got on top of those and we’re ready to have a big crack in Qualifying tomorrow.”

Michael Caruso, co-driver #18 IRWIN Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

“Good to be back in the car today, just getting back in the swing of things. 

“Car was reasonable but a couple of bits and pieces to work on, hard to know what to take away considering what we know with the weather for the next few days, but it was good to have a good run, we got help up on our fastest lap so it’s very early days. It’s only practice and we’ll focus on what’s coming up next.”