Cool mark looming
COOLER temperatures than last year’s scorcher are expected to place Shane van Gisbergen’s lap record within reach at this weekend’s Bathurst 12 Hour.
The Kiwi’s mark has stood since 2016, his 2m01.286s pole position time in a McLaren the fastest set by any car in any official session at Mount Panorama.
At the 2016 edition, the record fell multiple times on qualifying day.
Matt Campbell was the first to move the mark in the cool, early-morning final practice session. Van Gisbergen then moved it to a mid-2m01s in the early phase of qualifying before his stunning effort in the final session.
Searing temperatures last year meant the best lap of the weekend was almost a full second shy of Van Gisbergen’s mark, set in qualifying by eventual race winner Toni Vilander in a Ferrari.
Van Gisbergen returns in a McLaren this year and this weekend’s weather forecast mirrors the temperatures in 2016, although expected scattered showers tomorrow afternoon could put a dampener on the record falling in qualifying or the Top 10 Shootout.
Scott McLaughlin lowered the Supercars record at last October’s Bathurst 1000, his jaw-dropping Top 10 Shootout lap still almost three seconds shy of what Van Gisbergen and his McLaren achieved.
“The conditions were perfect for my lap, which is what it takes at Bathurst,” McLaughlin said. “Still, there is a reasonable chance.
“Shane did it two years ago; we will go close, just not sure how close yet.”
McLaughlin will make his first tilt at the 12 Hour’s outright class in a YNA Autosport McLaren and is cautioning fans not to expect him to produce similar heroics to his Supercars record in a car he has not raced before. “For me it’s about getting up to speed with the car first,” he said.