Provisional pole sitter Shane van Gisbergen has slammed the condition of the Gold Coast 500 track, labelling the troublesome kerbs “not safe” and a “real lottery”.
Championship leader van Gisbergen was quickest in Saturday’s qualifying ahead of the shootout for Sunday’s race, but was quick to lament the “very average” kerb issue.
“We can talk about it all day – it’s a shame it’s the biggest talking point here,” he said on Fox Motorsport.
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“The top three drivers, all of us after the press conference we decided to do something. Got everyone to sign the form … Everyone agreed the kerbs aren’t good enough and we need to do something.
“I thought we had good discussions last night and thought we had some progress – all the drivers were stocked and came back this morning and (Supercars officials) said ‘No, that’s how it is’.
“It’s very average that it’s like this. It’s not safe for everyone.
“It’s a real lottery … they didn’t help us. All the drivers agreed we need to do something and they’ve done nothing.”
David Reynolds agreed the kerbs were an issue for all drivers, especially turns one and two.
“Turn one’s such a bastard – it’s very, very hard to place your car,” he said.
“You don’t know if you’re going to jump over the invisible line and get a kerb strike.
“That’s the hardest part.”
A new system sees drivers penalised for “kerb hopping” if they activate sensors used to monitor the kerb use, with practice and qualifying laps wiped if they go too far.
van Gisbergen and Reynolds managed to avoid the qualifying drama that saw both Todd Hazlewood and Jake Kostecki bring out the red flag.
van Gisbergen, who needs just 33 points to seal the championship win in 2022, topped the time sheets ahead of Chaz Mostert, Brodie Kostecki, Will Davison, James Courtney, Reynolds, Andrew Heimgartner, Thomas Randle, Cam Waters and Anton de Pasquale.
Nick Percat missed the shootout and was unimpressed as he headed into the pits for a confrontation with Brodie Kostecki.
The two were caught in a heated moment as Percat believed Kostecki had impeded his hot lap.
Kostecki denied that accusation, saying he was also on a lap and had “five lengths” on Percat.
The top 10 shootout will take place on Saturday afternoon.
