Ryan Suhle and Cameron Shields have both claimed Castrol Pole Positions for this weekend’s double-round as part of the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship.
Suhle claimed pole for Saturday’s Round 4 trio of races by just 0.2 seconds over Shields.
While it broke Jayden Ojeda’s streak of Castrol Poles, it extended AGI Sport’s pole streak to three consecutive rounds.
“It all just came together in that session … struggled a little bit at the start but then as the tyres heated up the car came alive,” Suhle said.
“It’s fantastic to have three Castrol pole positions in a row for AGI Sport—awesome session.”
With the first qualifying session held in the wet, Shields claimed pole in the second dry qualifier by the slimmest of margins, with Ojeda only 0.8 seconds off pole.
An official test day was completed last week at Winton in dry and warm conditions, however Shields was absent from the test and was pleased to still top today’s second qualifier
“It was very tough, all morning it’s been raining,” Shields said.
“The last session dried up, and everyone else has been testing here recently and for me to go straight away on a dry track here and put it on Castrol pole—I was very happy with that.”
Saturday’s pole winner Suhle’s shoulder popped out throughout the remainder of the session and valiantly qualified third.
“That last qualifying session was the craziest session I think I’ve ever had in my short racing career,” Suhle said.
“Stalled it twice on the way out, popped my shoulder out of its socket, purple first two sectors and then a red flag … it’s disappointing but it shows that we have the pace.”
Lochie Hughes was the best placed Burson Auto Parts Rookie across both qualifying sessions for Saturday and Sunday’s races in fifth and fourth respectively.
“There’s still a fair bit more in me, I just didn’t quite get the lap I wanted to. A bit disappointed, but fourth and fifth are good positions to start for the weekend,” Hughes said.
“Hopefully it’ll be dry, it’s more fun to race in the dry—plus the racing’s cleaner—that’s the plan, hopefully get a good result.”
Hughes traded places with his senior Team BRM teammate Aaron Love throughout both sessions, fourth and fifth respectively.
Josh Smith enjoyed a best qualifying result of the year to be sixth, to be placed the top Victorian, ahead of fellow rookie Jackson Walls.
Three races for Round 4 await drivers tomorrow, with an early 8:30am start of 12 laps.
