21 September 2019 | News

John Martin takes historic first pole for S5000 at Sandown

John Martin will start from pole position for Australia’s first S5000 race after clocking the quickest time in qualifying at Sandown Park.

Martin used a late flier on a greasy track under the threat of rain to snatch the top spot from the early pace-setter Tim Macrow.

Grand prix ace Rubens Barrichello was third-quickest as the top three qualifiers were covered by just 0.347 seconds.

After the unique ‘qualifying draw’, the top three elected to keep their grid position. See below for grids for today and tomorrow morning’s qualifying races.

The first qualifying session for the V8-powered single-seaters was a gamble for all of the 13 runners, with all but Macrow starting their runs on wet-weather tyres before stopping for slicks.

But there were surprisingly few incidents, although some of the front-runners reported near-misses with the tail-enders.

“That’s about as intense as it gets. I was shitting myself before we went out,” says Martin.

“Trying to put it all together is tough. We’re all still learning.

“It was always going to be close. But it’s awesome to get it done.”

Martin used his P1 run to get first choice of his starting spot and, not surprisingly, chose pole position.

“It’s crazy not to,” Martin says.

Macrow will start alongside him but admits he gambled and lost in qualifying.

“I didn’t think the track would dry as quickly as it did. We probably put too much wing on it,” he says.

“It was close. And I’m happy.”

Barrichello could not stop smiling as he continued his learning at Sandown and in S5000.

“I feel so young right now. So much alive,” he says.

“To think that after just 45 minutes I’m still able to be so close to the front, is great. And I can do better.”

Race 1 will be held today at 2:10pm.

Results and grid to follow