Ford gun Scott McLaughlin has picked up where he left off in Perth, posting the fastest practice lap at the Winton Supercars event.
McLaughlin, who sits fourth on the leaderboard after back-to-back wins in WA, was quickest in one minute and 19.592 seconds, 0.087 ahead of Prodrive Racing Australia’s Chaz Mostert.
In a stark contrast to Friday’s soaked conditions, the Victorian track was bathed in sunshine on Saturday for final practice.
But McLaughlin said it still wasn’t smooth sailing for drivers.
“It’s still a little bit tram tracky out there. It’s quite dirty on the track but it’s still reasonably quick,” McLaughlin said.
“It’s the same for everyone but it’s definitely a challenge.”
Triple Eight Racing’s Shane Van Gisbergen was the other driver to break 1.20, recording the third fastest practice lap in 1:19.804.
Brad Jones Racing duo Tim Slade and Nick Percat rounded out the top five on their home track.
Slade is looking for a repeat of last year’s drought-breaking win at Winton, the only two wins of his Supercars career, while Percat was fastest in Friday’s practice.
McLaughlin’s DJR Team Penske teammate and championship leader Fabian Coulthard was ninth in final practice.