Winterbottom tops Bathurst qualifying

Strong performances in the two practice sessions earlier today were followed up in qualifying by Ford Performance's Winterbottom, who topped the times by nearly a quarter of a second with a 2:07.1481.

Next best were a pair of Holdens, the Toll HSV car of Garth Tander and Rick Kelly, just ahead of the Holden Racing team machine of Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly. These two cars headed the first section of qualifying and looked set to repeat until Winterbottom's late flier.

Fourth fastest was the Team Vodafone Falcon of Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, just under half a second off provisional pole, who looked set to finish the session around the lower end of the top ten before Lowndes popped in a quick one on his last flying lap.

Fifth and sixth are the two Stone Brothers Falcons, James Courtney edging out teammate Russell Ingall by just 0.003 of a second. Greg Murphy, Steven Johnson, Lee Holdsworth and Paul Radisich in the second Toll HSV car round out the top ten.

Unlike Toll HSV and Stone Brothers, the Holden Racing Team and Team Vodafone couldn't get both cars in the top ten, Glenn Seton disappointed with 14th after a competitive practice time in the morning, and Richard Lyons in 16th after a late off and then contact with the wall as the session ended.

Although Mark Winterbottom set the fastest time, the second Ford Performance Racing Falcon of Owen Kelly didn't have such a good day, with the car to be shared by Owen Kelly and Matt Halliday qualifying in 24th position.

The first session of qualifying was interrupted after Damien White crashed his Team BOC Falcon at the top of the hill, White has been airlifted to Nepean Hospital for precautionary checks after suffering concussion, while the team decides if the car can be repaired for the rest of the weekend.

Pos Drivers                            Car                   Time
 1. Mark Winterbottom/Steven Richards  Ford Falcon BF        2:07.1481
 2. Garth Tander/Rick Kelly            Holden Commodore VE   2:07.3856
 3. Mark Skaife/Todd Kelly             Holden Commodore VE   2:07.4512
 4. Craig Lowndes/Jamie Whincup        Ford Falcon BF        2:07.6214
 5. James Courtney/David Besnard       Ford Falcon BF        2:07.9036
 6. Russell Ingall/Luke Youlden        Ford Falcon BF        2:07.9066
 7. Greg Murphy/Jason Richards         Holden Commodore VE   2:08.0331
 8. Steven Johnson/Will Davison        Ford Falcon BF        2:08.0881
 9. Lee Holdsworth/Dean Canto          Holden Commodore VE   2:08.2545
10. Paul Radisich/Craig Baird          Holden Commodore VE   2:08.3500
11. Greg Ritter/Cameron McLean         Holden Commodore VE   2:08.4006
12. Paul Dumbrell/Paul Weel            Holden Commodore VE   2:08.4802
13. Jason Bright/Adam Macrow           Ford Falcon BF        2:08.6625
14. Glenn Seton/Nathan Pretty          Holden Commodore VE   2:08.6628
15. Andrew Jones/Simon Wills           Ford Falcon BF        2:08.9001
16. Richard Lyons/Allan Simonsen       Ford Falcon BF        2:08.9718
17. Marcus Marshall/Kayne Scott        Holden Commodore VE   2:08.9984
18. Cameron McConville/David Reynolds  Holden Commodore VE   2:09.0878
19. Mark Noske/Jay Verdnik             Holden Commodore VE   2:11.2633
20. Alex Davison/Andrew Thompson       Ford Falcon BF            -
21. Jason Bargwanna/Max Wilson         Ford Falcon BF        2:09.5378
22. Warren Luff/Alan Gurr              Ford Falcon BF        2:09.7122
23. Steve Owen/Tony D'Alberto          Holden Commodore VZ   2:09.7822
24. Matt Halliday/Owen Kelly           Ford Falcon BF        2:09.8141
25. John Bowe/Jonathon Webb            Ford Falcon BF        2:09.8464
26. Jack Perkins/Shane Price           Holden Commodore VE   2:10.0196
27. Paul Morris/Steve Ellery           Holden Commodore VE   2:10.0945
28. Fabian Coulthard/Chris Pither      Holden Commodore VZ   2:10.3498
29. Shane Van Gisbergen/John McIntyre  Ford Falcon BF        2:10.4038
30. Damien White/Christian Murchison   Ford Falcon BF        2:11.2080
31. Michael Caruso/Grant Denyer        Ford Falcon BF        2:11.5360