Supercars Ford Mustangs On Top In Bathurst 2024 Qualifying

October 11, 2024 5:37 pm

Mount Panorama a notoriously challenging circuit, and it’s off to a thrilling start already. Qualifying on October 11^th, 2024 was packed with intense action as two Supercars Ford drivers battled fiercely for the pole position, setting the stage for what promises to be an equally dramatic race on Sunday.

As per qualifying results from Supercars.com, Matt Payne, driver of the No. 19 Ford Mustang GT, beat out Cam Waters’ No. 6 Mustang to the provisional pole position during Friday’s time trials. In fact, just 0.0194 seconds separated the top four drivers in qualifying, with Payne and Waters outrunning the Chevy Camaro racers of Broc Feeney and Brodie Kostecki. Payne’s best time was a blistering 2:05.6452 seconds around Mount Panorama’s 23 turns. As such, Payne will roll out last in Saturday’s Top Ten Shootout.

“To be P1 in provisional qualifying is pretty cool,” Payne said. “I didn’t really think we quite had it. I knew we were going to be in the top five, but to be first is really good. It’s amazing how tight the top four are, really. We’re all within the same tenth. The competition’s incredible out there. Everyone’s driving at such a high limit.”

He added, “I think I got out of the car and I’m like almost about to have a heart attack because I’m breathing that hard. It’s probably more from excitement.”

Other Supercars Ford drivers weren’t so lucky in Friday’s time trials. Waters, despite laying down an excellent time, washed up the track and almost struck the wall during one of his laps, scrubbing off precious speed. Will Davison experienced a big hit when his No. 17 Supercars Ford went wide around a set of tight chicanes, striking the wall twice before coming to rest nose-first. The impact – which was measured at 58Gs – prompted competitor Nick Percat to park his No. 10 Camaro and check on Davison.

Shattering end to @BoostAus Qualifying at Mount Panorama 😳#RepcoSC #Supercars #Bathurst1000 pic.twitter.com/oCXqAIS05E

— Supercars (@supercars) October 11, 2024

Davison was evaluated and cleared by onsite medical staff after his crash. The No. 17 Supercars Ford team, meanwhile, expects to have the Mustang GT back together for Saturday’s sessions at Bathurst.

The 2024 Bathurst 1000 is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. local time on October 13^th, 2024.