From the opening night, TTR’s Jake Burton laid down a clear marker, delivering two exceptional laps at two of Australia’s tightest circuits, Winton and Oran Park. When the combined times were tallied, Burton emerged as the benchmark with a 2:28.118, finishing ahead of ERT’s Ryan O’Sullivan, while Robbie Gibbs rounded out the top three.

Many of the higher-ranked drivers completed their runs early in the week, electing not to return once they had locked in times they believed would be enough to advance. That strategy proved effective for some, but it was the fight for the final positions on the grid that produced the most drama.

At the start of the final night, Dan Poulton occupied the critical 45th position, but as lap times continued to fall, it became clear that his initial effort would not survive. Stepping back into the car, Poulton delivered when it mattered most, improving his time to secure 36th place, leaving the door wide open for those behind him to scramble for the remaining spots.

Live timing throughout the night showed constant movement around the cut line, with 45th position changing hands multiple times as drivers searched for the tiniest margins of improvement.

In the end, the difference between 45th and 46th was just one hundredth of a second, with returning driver Kain Kugimiya heartbreakingly missing the cut. Remarkably, the gap from second place to 55th was less than one second, highlighting the extraordinary level of competitiveness across the entire field.

For the 45 drivers who made it through, preparation now turns immediately to Round 1 of the Qualifying Series at Mosport, which gets underway on Wednesday, January 21. While Pre-Qualifying may be complete, the real challenge begins now, as drivers battle for a place in the top 20 at the conclusion of the Qualifying Series.

Those who succeed will earn the right to take on the top 20 drivers from last season, already waiting on the grid for the 2026 championship.

And for those who narrowly missed out this time, the message is clear: ASRG hasn’t forgotten you. More opportunities are coming — stay ready, stay sharp, and watch this space.