Friday practice pace setter Chris White took pole position for the Bridgestone GR86 Championship opening race at Hampton Downs this morning, but young gun Arthur Broughan bagged the fastest time overall to take pole for Sunday’s feature race.

With a driver’s fastest time in qualifying defining their race three grid position, and their second fastest time giving them a race one grid slot, it meant that early fast laps were an absolute must for the quality field.

At the flag it was White’s second best effort that was good enough for pole position for the Saturday season opener, and Broughan’s outright fastest time in the session secured pole for Sunday’s big feature race.

“I’m pretty stoked to get that lap in and take pole for Sunday,” said Broughan afterwards. “I’ll start third for the first race but I’m also pretty happy with that. It’s a great start and I’m delighted to be at the sharp end of what is an exceptional quality field.”

Conditions around the 4km international layout of Hampton Downs were perfect and it was Broughan who led the early running on times – benefitting no doubt from input from experienced racer Kaleb Ngatoa – while champion Hugo Allan was also on the early pace in the 20 minute session. 

On outright lap times Broughan’s first flying effort resulted in a very quick 1 minute 48.150 lap and that proved to be the best of the session. 

Champion Allan was closest with a 1.48.301 but that still left Broughan – by Toyota 86 standards – with a healthy margin at the front of one and a half tenths. 

That meant pole position for the feature race ahead of Allan, Bethune and White. White’s next fastest lap gave him Race 1 pole position.