Volvo’s Scott McLaughlin isn’t wasting time trying to overcome his Bathurst 1000 heartache, posting the fastest time at Gold Coast 600 opening practice.
McLaughlin clocked one minute, 11:32 seconds to top the practice timesheets on the concrete wall-lined street circuit on Friday.
Supercars series leader Shane van Gisbergen was second fastest ahead of fellow Holden driver David Reynolds.
McLaughlin has hit the ground running at the Gold Coast in a bid to recover from his Mount Panorama drama.
The Volvo driver’s winning Bathurst hopes were ended by a spectacular crash with 11 laps left after contact with Jamie Whincup and then Holden’s Garth Tander.
Whincup crossed the finish line first at Mount Panorama but was relegated to 11th for his role in the incident.
McLaughlin was later penalised 25 competition points over the crash to fall to fifth in the drivers’ championship with three rounds left.
Whincup was fourth fastest in opening practice as he tried to rebound from a failed appeal over his Bathurst penalty.
Two more practice sessions will be held on Friday before this weekend’s two 300km races.