Wall shock leader after first V8 Supercars practice

The New South Welshman left his run late, rocketing to the top of the times in the dying minutes of the session, on his first flying lap following a late red flag period sparked when Nick Percat bogged his LDM Commodore at turn one.

Wall’s 57.120s lap left him 0.160s clear of Craig Lowndes, who had led the way since the half-way mark of the session, and seemed odds on to take first blood before Wall’s late improvement.

Mark Winterbottom was another to improve in the five-minute rush after the red flag, the Prodrive Racing Australia driver slotting into third with a 57.422s effort, which relegated Holden Racing Team driver James Courtney down to fourth.

Scott McLaughlin was fifth fastest in his brand new Volvo S60 – 0.381s behind his team-mate – while Todd Kelly was the best of the Nissans in sixth fastest.

Fabian Coulthard, David Reynolds and Michael Caruso were next, with championship leader Jamie Whincup rounding out the Top 10.