Barbagallo V8s: Winterbottom fastest in wet final practice

Rain once again played its part in proceedings, a heavy storm drenching the West Aussie circuit just minutes before the quarter-hour session.

While conditions steadily improved throughout the session, the track never fully dried, making it impossible – for the second day in a row – for crews to put in late qualifying simulations.

In terms of wet weather pace, it was Winterbottom who led the way. The reigning champion had sat fifth after the first runs in the wettest of the conditions, before jumping to the top with four minutes remaining with a 1m03.3112s.

“The sun’s been out non stop [this morning], just before you roll out torrential rain comes own,” he said.

“Wet weather has been a weakness for me in the past, so it’s nice to go out, top a session, get some confidence and have some fun.”

Scott McLaughlin was second fastest, the Volvo driver displacing Craig Lowndes from P2 right at the flag with a 1m03.552s.

Rick Kelly was forth fastest for Nissan, having been fastest with his 1m03.664s with five minutes of the session remaining.

Penske’s Fabian Coulthard was fifth, Chaz Mostert sixth, and Scott Pye seventh.

Despite the weather, it was a largely uneventful session in terms of spins.

The only real drama hit James Moffat, whose Volvo engine lost oil pressure mid-way through the session.

He was able to coast back to the pits, but now faces a race against time to have a new engine installed before qualifying in a little over half an hour.

“No oil pressure. They don’t run too good without any oil pressure in them,” he said.

“Quick diagnosis doesn’t look too flash at the moment. Hopefully the boys can throw another engines in it before qualifying. I’m sure they’ll give it their very best to get us out for quali.”