Courtney tops the tables at Queensland Raceway
Round 7, City of Ipswich 400, Queensland Raceway, QLD

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney has topped the tables in the opening practice of the City of Ipswich 400 at Queensland Raceway today, setting the fastest lap time ahead of fellow Ford drivers Steven Richards and Mark Winterbottom.

Courtney had pace from the outset, lurking inside the top five throughout the two-and-a-quarter hour practice session before shooting to the top with two consecutive fastest laps in the final ten minutes of practice.

It is Courtney’s third start at the Willowbank circuit, also Stone Brothers Racing’s test track, the JELD-WEN Motorsport driver looking to live up to the promise he has shown at the venue in the past two years with a strong result this weekend.

SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen also showed speed in his ‘new’ SP Tools Racing Falcon, using the first 30 minute session as a shakedown before digging in to set up his BF Falcon.

Van Gisbergen was one of the first to put on green tyres in the third part of practice, setting the fastest lap time early before finally settling in 16th place.

Courtney and van Gisbergen will be back on track tomorrow at 11:35am for the three-leg elimination style qualifying session followed by race one at 3:35pm.

James Courtney, #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport
“The JELD-WEN Falcon was great out of the truck.

“We only had to make small changes as the track changed this afternoon.

“We weren’t sure of the control tyre; we haven’t had a test on it here. The tyre was very consistent throughout and we were quite quick on old tyres so that was good.

“It was a very positive session for SBR today.”

Shane van Gisbergen, #9, SP Tools Racing
“The new SP Tools Racing Falcon felt a bit different for a few laps but it didn’t take long to get into the groove.

“It certainly helped being on a track that I know well.

“Everything went pretty smoothly on the new car, we had a few small electrical issues to get the car how I wanted it.

“We put new tyres on pretty early; it was good to get a heads up on how the tyres would hold. We probably didn’t put them on when the track was at is best but everyone will be in the same position tomorrow.”

Practice
1. James Courtney 1:10.7210
2. Steven Richards 1:10.8965
3. Mark Winterbottom 1:10.9192
4. Will Davison 1:10.9362
5. Craig Lowndes 1:10.9529
6. Russell Ingall 1:10.9548
7. Mark Skaife 1:10.9575
8. Garth Tander 1:11.0993
9. Jason Richards 1:11.1106
10. Steven Johnson 1:11.1911
16. Shane Van Gisbergen 1:11.2716