The series battle will go down to the wire tomorrow in the CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series, with current leader Nick Kelly qualifying on pole position for tomorrow’s opening race.
Kelly set the pace in the opening session to take provisional pole, with the Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3 driver then improving by nearly half a second to stamp his authority on the grid in the second half of the two-part session.
Having not driven on the Winton circuit for more than a decade, Kelly said he has missed the rural Victorian circuit.
“Winton has a character and charm about it,” Kelly said.
“It’s very demanding and you need to be disciplined to get a fast lap.
“There’s no other track like it in Australia—Turns 1 and 2 are a bit like the Grand Prix, Turn 3 has a bit of camber … and there’s nothing like the top section of the circuit anywhere else.”
Kelly will be joined by Matt Stoupas on the front row, after the Victorian ace proved second fastest.
On debut in the Trophy Series, Scott Taylor piloted his Porsche 911 GT3 R to third fastest, edging out Dave Stevens in the Ferrari 458 GT3 by 0.4s.
Rio Nugara chalked up more crucial points in his quest for the series title as he qualified fifth, ahead of the Siedler Group Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car of Chris and Luke Seidler.
The series will host two 50-minute races tomorrow as part of their final round of 2018.
