Steven Richards on Tasmanian pole

After being seventh fastest in regular qualifying, Richards was able to leap up the order as he held his speed in the shootout while some other drivers lost tenths compared to their original qualifying times, Richards still clinging to slim title hopes.

Alongside Richards will be another Holden driver, Garth Tander. However, third in the shootout was Ford's Marcos Ambrose, second in the championship, who improved from his original eighth fastest time. Alongside Ambrose will be Tander's teammate Rick Kelly.

After looking strong in qualifying, first and third, Holden Racing Team teammates and title contenders Todd Kelly and Mark Skaife struggled somewhat in the shootout to qualify in fifth and seventh places.

However, they outqualified Ford's other title hopes, Craig Lowndes and points leader Russell Ingall. After scraping into the top ten, Ingall remained tenth in the shootout, while Lowndes dropped from fourth to ninth.

With the end of the year closing in, a few teams have taken the opportunity to swap drivers. For the final two rounds, David Brabham has replaced Greg Ritter at Ford Performance Racing, while Owen Kelly has replaced Alex Davison in the Autobarn car.

Davison has struggled all year compared to teammates Steven Richards and Paul Dumbrell. Both Brabham and Kelly put in strong midpack performances in qualifying, and will start alongside each other in 17th and 18th respectively.

In other news, Jason Richards has signed for another year at Dodo Racing as his teammate Jamie Whincup heads to Triple Eight, while Mark Winterbottom, who less than a month ago committed to another year at Orrcon Racing, has mutually agreed to part with the team. It is expected he will take the second seat at Ford Performance Racing alongside Jason Bright.

Qualifying, Ferodo Triple Challenge, Symmons Plains Raceway, Tasmania, Australia:

Pos  Driver              Car
 1.  Steven Richards     Holden Commodore VY
 2.  Garth Tander        Holden Commodore VZ
 3.  Marcos Ambrose      Ford Falcon BA
 4.  Rick Kelly          Holden Commodore VZ
 5.  Todd Kelly          Holden Commodore VZ
 6.  Paul Dumbrell       Holden Commodore VY
 7.  Mark Skaife         Holden Commodore VZ
 8.  Jason Bright        Ford Falcon BA
 9.  Craig Lowndes       Ford Falcon BA
10.  Russell Ingall      Ford Falcon BA
11.  Jason Richards      Holden Commodore VZ
12.  Steve Ellery        Ford Falcon BA
13.  Paul Morris         Holden Commodore VZ
14.  Greg Murphy         Holden Commodore VZ
15.  Paul Weel           Holden Commodore VZ
16.  Paul Radisich       Holden Commodore VZ
17.  David Brabham       Ford Falcon BA
18.  Owen Kelly          Holden Commodore VZ
19.  Steven Johnson      Ford Falcon BA
20.  Max Wilson          Holden Commodore VZ
21.  Glenn Seton         Ford Falcon BA
22.  Cameron McConville  Holden Commodore VZ
23.  Jamie Whincup       Holden Commodore VZ
24.  Mark Winterbottom   Ford Falcon BA
25.  Brad Jones          Ford Falcon BA
26.  Anthony Tratt       Holden Commodore VY
27.  Matthew White       Ford Falcon BA
28.  Jason Bargwanna     Ford Falcon BA
29.  David Besnard       Ford Falcon BA
30.  John Bowe           Ford Falcon BA
31.  Dean Canto          Holden Commodore VZ
32.  Craig Baird         Ford Falcon BA