AARON Seton has broken through for his maiden Dunlop Super2 Series pole position in a dramatic qualifying session at the NTI Townsville 500.
The third-generation driver benefitted from heading straight out on track with green tyres bolted on, banging in an early 1:14.1609s – 1.8s faster than any lap he managed during 80 minutes of Friday practice.
MORE: Seton turns to Whincup for guidance
Gomersall Motorsport’s strategy paid dividends with red flags bringing an early end to proceedings.
The session was halted with 2:17 on the clock after Jack Perkins and Brad Vaughan collided heavily.
The incident is under investigation, with Tickford Racing prodigy Vaughan likely to be penalised given he was weaving while Perkins behind was on a fast lap.
That stoppage prevented any late improvers, creating a mixed-up grid.
Nevertheless, Seton’s time was superb, putting him ahead of Kai Allen and Aaron Love in the top three.
Seton, 25, has never started a Super2 race on the front row and this year had failed to even qualify inside the top 10 in four prior opportunities across Newcastle and Perth.
Remarkably, Super3 rookie Cameron McLeod will start out of fourth after setting a blistering 1:14.6020s.
McLeod had yesterday flashed his pace, placing outright sixth in Practice 2.
Fifth through 10th was Cameron Crick, Cooper Murray, Jay Hanson, Jordyn Sinni, Zane Morse and Super3 points lead Jobe Stewart.
Vaughan was 13th, Ryan Wood 19th and Zak Best 20th while Perkins did not record a time.
