2023-10-27 17:00:00
The Team 18 driver clocked a 1:11.5577s midway through the session to beat Waters (#6 Monster Energy Mustang), with the session affected by passing showers and wind.
Pye, who will depart Team 18 at the end of the season ahead of a move to Triple Eight as a co-driver, was joined by Team 18 teammate Mark Winterbottom (#18 DEWALT Camaro) in the top five.
There were five Camaros and five Mustangs in the top 10, with the Gold Coast event preceded by a aerodynamic change to the Ford package.
The 30-minute hit out was suspended with seven minutes remaining after debris was strewn across Turn 2 shortly after Shane van Gisbergen ran through the first chicane. The session was later declared, leaving Pye’s #20 Hino Chevrolet Camaro atop the time sheets.
David Reynolds pulled his smoking #26 Penrite Ford over at pit exit just after the session went green, with Thomas Randle (#55 Castrol Mustang) and Declan Fraser (#56 TRADIE Mustang) also delayed. Reynolds, Randle and Fraser didn't set a representative lap time.
Brad Jones Racing driver Andre Heimgartner, meanwhile, reported clutch issues and encountered two offs at the Turn 11 run-off. The #8 R&J Batteries Camaro driver, however, still managed to record the ninth best time.
Series leader Brodie Kostecki (#99 Coca-Cola Camaro) jumped to the top with a 1:14.5522s, before the times continued to tumble.
Shane van Gisbergen had just jumped to fourth ahead of Davison, with Winterbottom, Nick Percat (#2 Mobil 1 NTI Mustang), Chaz Mostert (#25 Mobil 1 Optus Mustang), Heimgartner and Matt Payne (#19 Penrite Mustang) rounding out the top 10.
Kostecki ended up 11th, with Broc Feeney (#88 Red Bull Ampol Camaro) 18th ahead of Anton De Pasquale (#11 Shell V-Power Mustang).
Repco Supercars Championship track action on Friday will conclude with Practice 2 at 3:30pm local time/4:00pm AEDT.
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