Thursday morning marked the first time Tyler Everingham had driven a Supercar around Mt Panorama so he made the opportunity count.
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The Dubbo teenager was given a wildcard to compete in the iconic Bathurst 1000 and only one driver completed more laps during the first practice session at the famous circuit.
Everingham completed 21 laps around the track on Thursday and while he finished last, it was a hugely promising start for the 19-year-old rookie.
Everingham's fastest lap was 2:08.7452 minutes in his Team Valvoline GRM Commodore, which was 3.7 seconds slower than early pacesetter Cameron Waters,.Much like everyone involved in the sport during a COVID-affected year, Everingham had driven very little in the lead-up to Bathurst and that made his first time in a Supercar that little more tricky.
"With limited driving it's about building up," he told Supercars.com after Thursday's morning session.
"But it's something new for me and I haven't driven a ZB Commodore here so I'm just building up to it.
"But I think it's a pretty promising first session. The team hasn't raced all year so it's all new to us."
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Everingham's performance also pointed to him being the main driver for his team, with co-driver Jayden Ojeda not figuring in the morning session.
While Waters was the fastest on Thursday morning his performance wasn't the biggest talking point.
There was early drama as two of the weekend's major contenders came into contact.
Tim Slade and Shane van Gisbergen came into contact at Forrest's Elbow.
The result was a spin for Slade, who is the co-driver for Scott McLaughlin, while van Gisbergen suffered suspected minor steering damage.
The co-drivers then took centre stage in the afternoon session.
Ojeda also got through 21 laps as he became accustomed to the car and track and his fastest lap of the session was a tick over a second slower than Everingham's best.
There was a third qualifying session late on Thursday afternoon while drivers will get another chance to fine-tune things on Friday morning.
Things will go up a notch in the afternoon when qualifying begins.
The top 10 shootout for pole position is on Saturday before the great race starts at 11.30am on Sunday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
