The Australian Supercars series leader New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin has sounded his Bathurst 1000 intentions by clocking a lap record at Mount Panorama.
In the final practice session McLaughlin, in a Ford, made the most of cool track conditions to clock a scorching 2min 04.14sec, eclipsing Holden driver Jamie Whincup's 2015 mark by a whopping 0.76sec.
Scott McLauglin during practice for Bathurst 2017. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 © Clay Cross 2017
McLaughlin topped the timesheets in the one hour session, ahead of Ford's Chaz Mostert (2:04.67) and Holden's Nick Percat (2.04.70).
McLaughlin stunned the pit lane with his blistering lap with 20 minutes left in the final practice session.
"I am pretty blown away to be honest," McLaughlin said.
"That last lap I feel like we could have been a little bit better.
"The first two sets of tyres I was too twitchy, and then put the last set on and it was a bit better but just made a mistake on the second last corner.
"But this is not a bad feeling though that is for sure."
Defending series champion and fellow New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen's Holden was back on track after he came to grief on Thursday.
Van Gisbergen's Red Bull Racing team looked set for a long night after he smashed into the wall at The Dipper, on top of the mountain, halfway through the final one-hour session, prompting a red flag.
Remarkably, the team reported no major damage.
Van Gisbergen was 15th in final practice with teammate Whincup 14th and six- time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes seventh quickest.
