A disastrous qualifying performance at Symmons Plains today has forced Stone Brothers Racing's Russell Ingall and James Courtney to play 'catch up' in this afternoon's opening race in Tasmania.

Ingall, the 2004 winner at Symmons Plains, started twenty-third on the grid, but managed to salvage some respectability for the team by clawing his way through the pack to finish sixteenth – rising seven places on a circuit notorious for its lack of passing opportunities.

Courtney's start from twenty-sixth was his worst qualifying performance at the Launceston circuit, but unlike his team mate, he was unable to move ahead in the race - instead battling both his rivals and the stewards, who handed the Jeld-Wen pilot a drive through penalty for an incident with Shane Price.

Ingall blamed handling and brake issues for his surprising struggle after positing encouraging practice times.

“We didn't make any gains in qualifying this morning,” said Ingall, the 2005 series champion.

“The Caltex Racing Falcon had some handling issues and on top of that we had brake issues; the brakes wore out in about three laps.

“We really had the full package today.”

Despite finishing outside the points, Ingall was pleased with improvements made to the #9 car between qualifying and the first race.

“Even with the problems we had we caught the bunch in front and there were about ten cars in that lot so if we can fix it, we will be up and away - that's a positive.

“We just have to fix it.”

Courtney was disappointed with his performance in the Jeld-Wen Falcon.

“The JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon was actually really good in today's race; we had very good race pace and we were working our way into the top ten,” said Courtney.

“We had some issues with set up in qualifying so it was a big improvement from that.

“Coming into the hairpin I had a touch with Shane (Price). With a bit more car control he could have got around the corner but that didn't happen. I got a drive through penalty and that was our race over.”

Team Principal Ross Stone rued what he stated as the worst effort by the triple champions in qualifying…ever.

“Our problems really started from qualifying this morning,” he said.

“We got caught out by cooler track temperatures and the switch from old to new tyres.

“It was probably SBR's worst ever qualifying performance.

“We did recover to some degree in the race - the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon was very good; the Caltex Racing Falcon struggled with brakes but Russell put in a great race considering.

“Unfortunately for James, a drive-through penalty in this field really destroys your weekend so we will just have to try and salvage some points tomorrow.”

Ingall and Courtney will have two chances to gain some points from the weekend, with two more fifty-lap races to be held on Sunday.