Protest drama unfolds as Brodie Kostecki claims Bathurst 1000 pole position

Dick Johnson Racing’s Brodie Kostecki has put his Ford Mustang on pole for the Bathurst 1000 after a last-gasp stunner in the Top 10 Shootout on Saturday.

Last year’s winner had it all to do to overhaul Tickford star Cam Waters but went big in the first sector and held on, outpointing his nearest rival by a shade under two tenths.

But he has already warned his frustration with the Ford engine package in race trim could continue despite claiming pole.

Asked how his Mustang will fare on Sunday, Kostecki said: “I’ll let you guys know tomorrow, we’ll see if it’s good down the straights.”

The 2023 series champion, who crossed the line in 2:04.041, said he was thrilled to claim his third straight pole position at the Great Race.

“It’s amazing, honestly, that in-lap was something special seeing all the fans and getting all the cheers over the fence,” Kostecki said.

During the Top 10 Shootout it emerged DJR had launched a protest in a bid to get Ford engine changes approved for Sunday’s race.

The protest was later dismissed, with the team releasing a lengthy statement.

Supercars’ proposed adjustments were knocked back by GM teams on Friday, sparking anger from Kostecki in particular and a stern defence from the likes of Erebus boss Barry Ryan and Supercars supremo Mark Skaife.

While Ford’s discontent continued behind the scenes it was a different story on the track.

Mustangs will fill the top four spots on the grid when the Bathurst 1000 starts at 11.45am AEDT on Sunday.

“And what about for Ford Motor Company? One, two, three, four — first time since 1990 four Fords on the first two rows, since the Ford Sierra days,” Skaife said after the shootout.

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Waters said he held his breath through the whole lap to lay down a 2:04.217 and his fast run across the top held up.

Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert (2:04.358) was the first who couldn’t match Waters.

“That big Monster Energy bloody Mustang, I tell you what it’s got more dog than me. I left nothing across the top,” Mostert said.

“I know I lost a spot but I’m proud of that lap.”

Teammate Ryan Wood (2:04.443) survived a couple of hairy moments over the top to slot in fourth just behind Mostert.

Triple Eight championship leader Broc Feeney fell from second in qualifying on Friday to fifth with a 2:04.594.

“Pretty disappointed with that,” he said.

“A long way to go tomorrow so looking forward to it.”

Erebus rookie Cooper Murray impressed to make the shootout and again with a clean 2:04.600 for sixth, saying it was “a pleasure to be here, to be honest”.

Thomas Randle was the first man out and jumped multiple spots when his 2:04.735 could not be beaten by Cameron Hill (eighth, 2:04.885), Anton De Pasquale (ninth, 2:04.911) and retiring veteran Nick Percat (10th, 2:05.429).

“It’s always tough being the first one out here, I just thought I’d try to give it everything,” Randle said.

Percat lost six tenths of a second at the last corner locking the inside tyres.

“Amazing to have the mountain all to myself for the last run,” he said.

“It was messy, I’ll be annoyed at myself for the rest of my life with that effort.”

Bathurst 1000 top 10

1. Brodie Kostecki / Todd Hazelwood (Dick Johnson Racing)

2. Cam Waters / Mark Winterbottom (Tickford Racing)

3. Chaz Mostert / Fabian Coulthard (Walkinshaw Andretti United)

4. Ryan Wood / Jayden Ojeda (Walkinshaw Andretti United)

5. Broc Feeney / Jamie Whincup (Triple Eight Race Engineering)

6. Cooper Murray / Jobe Stewart (Erebus Motorsport)

7. Thomas Randle / James Moffat (Tickford Racing)

8. Cameron Hill / Cam McLeod (Matt Stone Racing)

9. Anton De Pasquale / Harri Jones (Team 18)

10. Nick Percat / Tim Slade (Matt Stone Racing)