Craig Baird emerged quickest in the final Australian GT Championship practice session ahead of qualifying at Highlands Park.

Driving the the Scott Taylor Motorsport Mercedes alongside Michael Almond, the Kiwi posted a 1:31.54s on his final lap of the 4.1km circuit.

The Erebus run entry has returned to action at Highlands after missing Hampton Downs due to car owner Taylor’s injuries sustained on the Gold Coast.

“The car is obviously very good but we don’t know where people are at with tyres and what people are running,” Baird told Speedcfae.com.

“There are no trophies for practice but it is always nice to finish fastest, it gives you a bit of an indication of where we are at.

“The car has been great since we took it out of the container which is always good.”

The #222 Mercedes proved 0.5s quicker than championship contender Nathan Morcom in the #60 Tekno Autosports McLaren 650S.

Third belonged to the #1 Jamec Pem Audi R8 of Chris Mies and Tony Bates which was 0.02s faster than the Walkinsshaw Racing Porsche of John Martin and Liam Talbot.

Championship leader Klark Quinn ended the session in fifth behind the wheel of the #37 Darrell Lea McLaren 650S.

Tony Walls’ Objective Racing McLaren and the factory Nissan of Michael Caruso and Matt Simmons were absent from the session after suffering being withdrawn following crashes in Practice 1.

CLICK HERE for more on the Nissan and Objective McLaren.

The field will take part in two 30 minute qualifying sessions with the first scheduled to begin at 1310 local time.

Result: Australian GT Championship Practice 2 Top 10