Ford veteran Lee Holdsworth has claimed provisional pole at the Bathurst 1000 after producing a scorching lap around Mt Panorama.
The Tickford driver saw off challenges from Red Bull Holden’s Shane van Gisbergen and Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin to lead the top-three.
Holdsworth, who is racing in his 17th Bathurst 1000, will enter Saturday’s top-10 shootout with serious confidence.
“This is my first time as provisional pole at Bathurst so we’ll string it all together tomorrow and worry about Sunday when the time comes,” the 37-year-old said.
“Just stoked for Tickford Racing, old little mate ‘Carus’ (co-driver Michael Caruso) has been so good to be with and just really enjoyed myself.”
Holdsworth captured P1 in the nick of time, jumping to the top before rain fell at Bathurst with about three minutes remaining in Friday qualifying.
McLaughlin was denied by the weather, and earlier by a red flag when he was in the middle of a hot-lap.
The defending Bathurst champion had to slow down when Matt Stone Racing’s Jake Kostecki slammed his Commodore into Skyline corner.
“It was absolutely bucketing down. I went over the hill and it was loose on the slicks so I said ‘we’ll bring it in boys’,” McLaughlin said.
But it was a good recovery from McLaughlin, who earlier lost control in practice and crashed his Mustang into the wall, resulting in minor damage.
After claiming both practice sessions on Thursday, rising Tickford star Cameron Waters came in fourth.
His co-driver Will Davison earlier showed why he is still one of the leading Supercars drivers after a scintillating first session on Friday.
Left without a full-time drive after his 23Red team withdrew from the championship due to the impacts of COVID-19, dual Bathurst 1000 winner Davison has been parked for most of 2020.
But in teaming up with Waters at Mt Panorama the pair have a serious shot at taking out the great race.
Another superstar pairing will start the shootout fifth with Supercars greats Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes again driving together.
Most co-drivers enter the season finale without taking the wheel of a Supercar this year after the traditional lead-up enduro events were cancelled.
BATHURST 1000 TOP-10 SHOOTOUT
1. Lee Holdsworth (Ford)
2. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)
3. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)
4. Cameron Waters (Ford)
5. Jamie Whincup (Holden)
6. Fabian Coulthard (Ford)
7. Anton de Pasquale (Holden)
8. Chaz Mostert (Holden)
9. James Courtney (Ford)
10. Nick Percat (Holden)
