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TALE OF TWO SESSIONS AS EVERINGHAM TOPS FRIDAY
The Dubbo youngster topped the first 20-minute session in dry conditions and then did the same on a rapidly drying circuit later in the afternoon following a surprise rain shower earlier in the day.
Practice one started in bright sunshine and it was the pair of MW Motorsport Falcons who dominated.
Everingham topped teammate and nearest title rival Best by 0.3 seconds with impressive newcomer Harry Hayek third on his debut for Brad Jones Racing.
Harley Haber was fourth for Image Racing while Brad Neill was a superb fifth in his ex-Shane van Gisbergen Falcon.
A promising debut for his new car saw Jon McCorkindale sixth despite several niggling new-car issues that presented in his first proper run in the ex-Steven Johnson Ford.
Maxim Erickson was seventh Michael Anderson eighth Jim Pollicina ninth and Brendan Strong tenth.
The tightly packed group saw just 0.3 seconds cover Neill in fifth to Pollicina in ninth position.
The only major issue came when Jason Foleys ex-DJR Falcon broke an input shaft exiting turn three.
A surprise rain shower between sessions saw a rapidly drying circuit present competitors for practice two.
While the MW Motorsport duo elected to sit out the opening half of the session times rapidly dropped amongst those who did elect to run.
Maxim Erickson held the top spot for the early stanza before a late run from Everingham saw him leap to the top his final of six laps ultimately his fastest at 1m16.35s some five seconds slower than his practice one best.
Zac Best also jumped to the top at the very end of the session ending up a full second behind his teammate.
Erickson was third 0.2 seconds quicker than Hayek who ended a strong day in fourth.
Chis Smerdon used his experience to post the fifth-fastest time just edging out McCorkindale.
Smerdon was one of several drivers who elected to wait out the opening portion of the session while he circuit dried ultimately only requiring seven laps to post his best time.
Haber Anderson Strong and Pollicina completed the top-10 with Pollicina Neill Garry Hills Nandi Kiss Sean Fardell Andy Cantrell Mark Primmer and Steven Page completing the runners.
As it was in practice one the bottom half of the top-10 was intensely competitive. Just 0.12s covering Smerdon in fifth to the eight-placed Michael Anderson.
The Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series will contest qualifying and their first of three races at the Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint event tomorrow.
Both sessions will be live on Fox Sports 506 tomorrow.
RESULTS PRACTICE 1
- Tyler Everingham 1m11.72
- Zak Best 1m12.03
- Harry Hayek 1m12.51
- Harley Haber 1m12.57
- Bradley Neill 1m13.43
- Jon McCorkindale 1m13.47
- Maxim Erickson 1m13.60
- Michael Anderson 1m13.63
- Jim Pollicina 1m13.74
- Brendan Strong 1m14.15
RESULTS PRACTICE 2
- Tyler Everingham 1m16.35
- Zak Best 1m17.38
- Maxim Erickson 1m17.56
- Harry Hayek 1m17.65
- Chris Smerdon 1m18.12
- Jon McCorkindale 1m18.14
- Harley Haber 1m18.19
- Michael Anderson 1m18.24
- Brendan Strong 1m18.90
- Jim Pollicina 1m19.11