Bathurst: Cancellation of Top 10 shoutout, Cameron Waters on pole

The announcement was made 30 minutes before the start of the top 10 shoutout session. The weather conditions no longer made it possible to evacuate enough water which was flowing everywhere around the Mount Panorama circuit. The Australian authorities proved that they were willing to let the crews take to the track in already very delicate conditions (free sessions 5 and 6 were contested on a damp then sodden track). Superpole is a session where drivers take maximum risks to obtain the Holy Grail: pole position for the Bathurst 1000 kilometers. This year, pilot safety is in question. The sentence falls: cancellation of the Top 10 shoutout for the 2022 edition. Cameron Waters (Tickford racing) best time in the qualifying session (2'23.6168) and James Moffat will start on pole tonight. The Mustang pilot had nevertheless prepared for the exercise: “ It’s certain, this cancellation is disappointing. The Top 10 Shootout is one of my favorite moments of the season. It's true that the amount of water is crazy on the track. It's not really a problem for us drivers, we know how to adapt to the conditions when necessary. But it’s true that taking the risk when we have the “Great Race” tomorrow is ultimately the wisest decision.”

Starting grid: 2022 Repco Bathurst 1000 #RepcoSC #Bathurst1000https://t.co/Wo27zKGurg pic.twitter.com/H6XZGf36RQ

— Supercars (@supercars) October 8, 2022

They will start alongside Lee Holdsworth (the future retiree) and Matt Payne (Whole grained Racing). Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United) would have liked to have had a little more chance as he has shown his burst of speed since the start of the week. He will start from the 2nd row with his experienced teammate Fabian Coulthard. Shane Van Gisbergen (Triple eight engineering) had set the 4th fastest time in the qualifying session but following contact with Macauley Jones (Brad Jones racing), the New Zealander received a penalty of 3 places on the starting grid. They will start from 7th row with Garth Tander. 4th place goes to the surprise crew of this qualification, the Stanaway/Murphy duo. The ghost and the legend may have a good shot to play in this 2022 edition. Erebus Motorsport achieves the feat of placing its cars in the Top 10. Brodie Kostecki/ Russell (9th) and Brown/ Perkins (10th) will be part of the top of the grid. The first Ford Mustang from Dick Johnson racing will start from 6th row with the Davison brothers taking turns behind the wheel. 

Torrents of water and rain led to the cancellation of the Top 10 shootout. ©Supercars

Among the disappointments, we will note the 14th place of the second Triple Eight car. Jamie Whincup did not manage to qualify higher for his return. Broc Feeney and his team manager will have to spit in their gloves to help Shane Van Gisbergen win the title in this 65th edition of the Bathurst 1000. Another legend will start in the heart of the pack and potentially the most agitated part of the platoon. Craig Lowndes and Declan Fraser will start from 16th row aboard the famous Commodore bearing the 888.  

For those of you getting up for the Grand Prix of Formula 1 from Japan, know that the 1000 kilometers of Bathurst will have already started. The 28 cars will set off tonight at 2:15 a.m. here in France (11:15 a.m. local time, editor's note)