R1S PRE-QUAL - Murphy, Kelly through, Kiwis sent packing
23/3/2001 17:55 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
K-Mart racers Greg Murphy and Todd Kelly are safely through to the weekend after surviving this afternoon’s do-or-die pre-qualifying session.
Murphy needed just two laps of Phillip Island to top the time sheets with an adequate 1:34.17min fastest lap.
For he and Kelly, two-tenths slower than his team-mate, the session was a formality – but a distinctive advantage over their rivals who won’t hit the track until tomorrow.
Cameron McLean, Cameron McConville, Matthew White and Thomas Mezera all qualified their cars for the weekend, as did Anthony Tratt – just.
AVESCO’s strict 32-car restricted grid claimed some high-profile casualties, including 2000 Lites champion Dean Canto. Greg Ritter (driving for Imrie Motorsport this weekend) and Tyler Mecklem also failed to qualify.
Team Kiwi Racing were robbed of a place in the season opener after unknown mechanical problems prevented Jason Richards from participating in the session.
Those that didn’t finish within the top 25 in last year’s Shell Series were forced to pre-qualify due to over subscription.
The truncated Supercar field hit the track tomorrow morning for the first practice session, ahead of the afternoon’s qualifying and top ten shootout.
**PRE-QUALIFYING TIMES**
1st GREG MURPHY (K-Mart Racing) - VX Commodore [1:34.1721min]
2nd TODD KELLY (K-Mart Racing Team) - VX Commodore [1:34.3774]
3rd CAMERON McLEAN (Greenfield Mowers Racing) - AU Falcon [1:34.7395]
4th CAMERON McCONVILLE (Lansvale Smash Repairs) - VX Commodore [1:35.1669]
5th MATTHEW WHITE (Challenge Recruitment Racing) - VS Commodore [1:35.5773]
6th THOMAS MEZERA (Thomas Mezera Racing) - VX Commodore [1:35.9717]
7th ANTHONY TRATT (Toll Racing) - AU Falcon [1:36.0445]
DNQ DEAN CANTO (RPM International Racing) - AU Falcon [1:36.7556]
DNQ GREG RITTER (Imrie Motorsport) - VX Commodore [1:37.0123]
DNQ TYLER MECKLEM (Ultra Tune Racing) - VT Commodore [1:37.1420]
DNQ JASON RICHARDS (Team Kiwi Racing) - VT Commodore
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