New Zealand Banklink racer Mitch Evans achieved his second pole position in as many rounds, outpacing championship rival Scott Pye and team mate Nick Percat at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this afternoon.
Evans, along with the rest of the field, battled blustery conditions but still managed to shave almost a second off his fastest practice time to post the fastest lap of 1min 37.47secs. “Fresh tyres – the right changes … everything came together this afternoon,” Evans said. “The conditions were pretty difficult with the wind playing all sorts of tricks on us,” he added.
CAMS Rising Star pilot Scott Pye will line up alongside Evans on the front row after his best effort this afternoon fell three tenths (.32secs) short of the pole clinching lap. “I’m really happy with that lap,” Pye beamed. “I didn’t get a tow so it’s pretty good for the confidence knowing that I did it all on my own.”
Championship leader Nick Percat was third quickest, but will relish the challenge come race time and will no doubt be all over the back of Evans and Pye in tomorrow’s opening race. “The car wasn’t too flash this afternoon but hopefully we’ll be able to sort it out overnight,” a solemn Percat said.