Maro Engel set a record 2:04.5s lap of Mount Panorama to end Friday practice for the Bathurst 12 Hour at the top of the order.

The German and his Erebus Motorsport team-mate Will Davison traded times in the final 15 minutes of Practice 4 following an early smattering of red flags.

The efforts of Engel and co-driver Nico Bastian kept the #1 entry on top for most of the session before Davison rolled off a 2:05.3s with 10 minutes remaining.

Engel, who has been replaced by Davison in the team’s V8 Supercars squad for this season, then recorded a 2:04.45s that could not be beaten.

The lap was a full 1.5s faster than the previous quickest time of the day, set by David Russell and in first session.

“The boys have done a really good job, they did a few things during the day and the car is set up nice,” said Engel post-sesssion.

“The track has gripped up a bit. It’s a good finish to the day, the cars are in one piece and all the drivers have put in good laps, especially Nico for his first time here.

“All we need are some clear laps tomorrow (to see record qualifying speeds).”

Late efforts from Mika Salo and Russell put the #88 Maranello Ferrari and #23 JBS Lamborghini third and fourth respectively.

The #32 Nismo Nissan, #3 Phoenix Audi, #33 Clearwater Ferrari, #37 Quinn McLaren, #25 United Autosports Audi and #48 M Motorsport Lamborghini completed the top 10.

While the Erebus Mercedes entries showed their hand, the SLS of HTP Motorsport suffered heavy right-side damage thanks to a mistake from Harold Primat at McPhillamy Park.

The AF Corse Ferrari that was crashed during the morning meanwhile returned to the circuit for the final minutes of the day.

Australian Steve Wyatt, who had been involved in the McPhillamy Park crash, completed four laps aboard the 458.

See below for the combined results from the day’s practice sessions