Jason Gomersall put his Holden Dealer Team inspired A9X Torana on top of the times in Touring Car Masters practice at Winton Raceway.
The Matt Stone Racing built Torana ran faultlessly on its competitive debut posting a new practice lap record to top second practice.
After posting the third fastest time in the opening session, Gomersall produced a 1:28.5800s to set the pace in the final 20 minute hit out.
The A9X Torana is the first to compete in Touring Car Masters as regulations now allow cars constructed up to 1978 to enter.
The Porsche 911 RS of Sven Burchartz ended the day second overall with his Practice 1 topping time just 0.12s shy of Gomersall.
John Bowe was third fastest behind the wheel of his 1974 Holden Torana, while Glen Seton and Jim Richards were fourth and fifth, within 0.7s of Gomersall’s time.
The Touring Car Masters returns on Saturday for a 20 minute qualifying session before a 12 lap race scheduled to start at 1440 local time.
Toyota 86 Racing Series
Formula Ford graduate Cameron Hill claimed the inaugural pole position of the newly formed Toyota 86 Racing Series.
The reigning national Formula Ford Series winner emerged from a mammoth 38 car field to secure pole by 0.3s from Tim Brook and V8 Utes regular David Sieders.
Hill continued his impressive pace from practice to produce a 1:37.9515s effort to end qualifying as the only driver to crack the 1:37s bracket.
Brook pipped Sieders by less than a tenth while Aaron Seton secured the final spot on the second row.
Formula 4 driver Will Brown was fifth ahead of Damon Strongman, Luke King, Jon McCorkindale, Ben Grice and Josh Hunter.
Steven Johnson was the top guest professional in 12th position with Glenn Seton 18th and Leanne Tander in 20th spot.
The series will host its maiden 10 lap race at 1110 local time.
Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series
Rookie Josh Smith produced an impressive display to edge series leader and former V8 Supercars full-timer Taz Douglas in practice for the second round of the Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series.
The Brad Jones Racing driver pipped Douglas’ THR Developments VE Commodore by 0.0977s with his personal best effort set in Practice 2.
Smith’s fastest time was a full second beneath last year’s pole time set by Liam McAdam and 1.5 seconds beneath the category’s lap record at the newly resurfaced circuit.
Douglas topped the opening session which saw the Victorian bring out the red flags when his Commodore came to a halt on circuit.
Michael Anderson was third fastest in his BF Falcon just 0.4s shy of Smith, while Jason Heck, David Wright and Tyler Greenbury completed the top six.
The Kumho Series was reduced by one entrant with Poco Racing driver Steve Briffa forced to withdraw the VZ Commodore due to significant engine dramas.
Saturday’s schedule resumes early in the morning with a 20-minute qualifying session to set the grid scheduled for 0850 local time.
The opening 12 lap race is scheduled to begin at 10:45 followed by the second heat at 1245.
V8 Utes Racing Series
Mason Barbera proved the man to beat in the V8 Utes Racing Series as he topped both practice sessions.
The Queenslander headed the morning session before he trimmed half a second from his personal best in the final 20 minute hit out.
The Ford driver’s 1:36.0560s proved almost 0.1s quicker than Kris Walton with David Sieders in third a further 0.2s back in the top Holden entry.
Ryan Hansford just pipped Jeremy Gray to fourth as Craig Dontas, Kim Jane, Gerard McLeod, Nathan Pretty and Craig Woods rounded out the top 10.
Both sessions proved to be hotly contest with only 1.5s covering the top 10.
The V8 Utes will contest a 20 minute qualifying on Saturday followed by two 14 lap races, with the first scheduled to begin at 1210 local time.
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