HE may have missed out on qualifying for the top 10 shootout, but Rick Kelly is confident he can find more pace from his Nissan Altima come Sunday’s Bathurst 1000.
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The two-time Great Race winner will go from 14th on the grid for the 161-lap epic after managing a best lap of 2:05.0645 in Friday qualifying.
It was 0.9552 off the pace set by Red Bull Racing’s Jamie Whincup.
Earlier in wetter conditions, Kelly clocked the second fastest time in the morning’s fifth practice session.
READ MORE: Lowndes makes a return to top 10 shootout
READ MORE: Whincup tops qualifying
As the track dried, others found speed his #11 Castrol Racing Nissan could not match. However, Kelly explained the team did not want to make big alterations to their set up.
“The car itself is not too bad,” he said.
“We went fourth after the first run, but then everyone went quicker and quicker. We just weren't able to go with them.
“It's risky to make big changes and we decided to stick with a car that gave us confidence, but unfortunately that didn't give us the platform to develop through the session.
“It's a long race and I know there's a bit more to find.”
Not one of the four Nissans in the field managed to qualify for the top 10 shootout, with Andre Heimgartner the best placed in 13th.
He clocked a 2:05.0358.
"While it's pretty disappointing to not be in the shootout, at least we have more time to prepare our race pace,” Heimgartner said.
“Both Aaren [Russell, co-driver] and I are really comfortable in the car, so that's a big positive for Sunday.”
Fellow Nissan drivers Michael Caruso and Simona de Silvestro qualified in 16th and 26th respectively.
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