Holden’s Michael Caruso was the fastest driver after Thursday’s first V8 Supercars practice session in Bathurst.

In the 50-minute session kicking off the build-up to Sunday’s 1000km endurance race at Mount Panorama, Caruso clocked a two minute and 8.4081 seconds lap time to top the timesheets.

Championship leader Jamie Whincup was second-fastest in the session with Ford youngster Shane van Gisbergen coming in third.

Whincup’s main rivals were not far behind with the Ford pairing of Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards fifth-fastest and defending Bathurst champions Garth Tander and Nick Percat seventh quickest.

Ford’s Will Davison came in eighth-fastest with race favourite Craig Lowndes and co-driver Warren Luff posting the 14th quickest time.

Thursday’s action continues with two more practice sessions.