Barnes takes first Bridgestone GR86 pole position with perfect lap

Australian Cooper Barnes took his first pole position of the season in the Bridgestone GR86 Championship with a perfect lap in qualifying at Teretonga Park this morning.

Making the most of his fresh tyres and Teretonga’s long straight the talented Right Karts by M2 Competition driver put it all together when it mattered and took pole position – his first ever in any circuit racing series - by a remarkable three tenths of a second in a field covered by less than one second.

“The track was mint and I knew the best of the tyres was going to be within the first three laps so it was going to have to be done early," he said afterwards.

“We made some changes to the car after testing last night and it was perfect. I managed to nail the lap and on the home straight got a three car tow which was definitely worth something too, so it all worked out perfectly and I’m stoked to get my first championship pole position.”

Justin Allen – currently third in the points battle – had the best run of the championship contenders and managed to put his car on the front row with Chris White – a circuit expert – and Cameron Hill locking out the second row.

It was a disastrous session for championship leader Hugo Allan, who couldn’t repeat his form of testing and will start Saturday afternoon’s race from 21^st on the grid, leaving the CareVets Racing driver with plenty to do to keep top spot in the points.

Friday pace setter Cormac Murphy also had a frustrating session but at least managed to put his car on the third row alongside the consistent Josh Bethune.  Hayden Lines was another to maintain some of his Friday form with a season’s best seventh on the grid, while Lachlan Evennett, a winner last time out at Hampton Downs, went well to take a spot on the fourth row in eighth on his first visit to the track.

Caleb Byers – another with plenty of local circuit knowledge – will start ninth this afternoon with Hayden Bakkerus – currently sitting second in the points table starting tenth. Both Bakkerus and Allen will have a good chance this afternoon to make major inroads into Allan’s championship lead.

Bridgestone GR86 Championship Round 3 Teretonga Qualifying