Reigning Bathurst champion Brodie Kostecki has secured provisional pole for Sunday’s 1000-kilometre race, setting a new record in the process. However, his triumph on the track has not quelled his dissatisfaction with what he perceives as a lack of parity progress in the sport.
Kostecki achieved the narrowest qualifying finish in Bathurst 1000 history, with just 0.2 seconds separating the top ten qualifiers. Despite this achievement, he expressed frustration over the performance gap between his team’s Mustang and the competing Camaros.
Kostecki’s Concerns Over Parity
Speaking after his razor-thin victory over Broc Feeney by 0.006 seconds, Kostecki voiced his concerns about the Mustang’s chances. “We need to get our upgrade to fix the deficit to the Camaro’s – 2k’s an hour on average and it’s a bit disappointing nothing’s been done about it after a report’s been published. It’s just cr*p,” he stated.
When questioned by reporter Chad Neylon, who suggested Kostecki had the fastest car on Friday, the DJR star retorted, “Doesn’t matter.” He compared the situation to a flawed system, likening it to a tied football grand final where one team must rely on the other to miss a free kick to win.
“It’s pretty disappointing for everyone that’s on the Ford side,” Kostecki claimed. “It’s going to make it incredibly difficult come Sunday. We’re doing the best job we can with what we’ve got.”
Record-Breaking Performance Amidst Challenges
Despite his grievances, Kostecki’s performance remains impressive. Should he excel in the upcoming Top 10 Shootout, he will become the first driver in history to claim three consecutive pole positions from this event. On Friday, he shattered his own Gen3 qualifying record with a 2:04.0307 final lap, ensuring he will be the last competitor in the Shootout.
The qualifying results indicate an even split between Camaros and Mustangs in the Shootout, underscoring the competitive nature of this year’s race. Thomas Randle will kick off the Shootout, followed by a lineup of notable drivers, culminating with Kostecki’s attempt to secure his historic third pole.
Notable Absences and Saturday’s Schedule
One of the biggest surprises was the absence of reigning series champion Will Brown from the Shootout. The Red Bull Racing star finished 12th, missing the cut by a mere 0.0705 seconds. “Unfortunately we just didn’t have the pace. It’s tight out there, two tenths to pole,” he remarked, acknowledging the fierce competition.
Saturday’s schedule is packed with events leading up to the Shootout, featuring a variety of races and practice sessions:
- 8.25am – SuperUtes Race 2
- 9.05am – Dunlop Super2 Series Qualifying
- 9.30am – GR Supra Test laps
- 10.05am – Supercars practice co-drivers only
- 11.20am – Touring Car Masters Race 3
- 12.40pm – Entertainment
- 1.10pm – Supercars Practice 6
- 2.25pm – SuperUtes Race 3
- 2.55pm – GR Cup Race 2
- 3.25pm – Porsche Carrera Cup Race 2
- 4.05pm – Dunlop Super2 Series Race 10
- 4.50pm – GR Supra Test laps
- 5.05pm – Supercars Top 10 Shootout
Looking Forward
The Bathurst 1000 continues to be a focal point for motorsport enthusiasts, with the ongoing parity debate adding an extra layer of intrigue. As Kostecki and his competitors prepare for the main event, all eyes will be on the Shootout to see if he can make history and how the parity issue might influence the race’s outcome.
The outcome of this weekend’s races could have significant implications for future regulations and the ongoing development of the cars, particularly regarding the balance between the Mustangs and Camaros. Fans and teams alike will be watching closely as the drama unfolds on the track.
