If you thought Friday was quick, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

That’s the scene on Phillip Island, where ten drivers had practice times below Craig Lowndes’ 13-year-old record.

The quick Friday times set up a weekend which could tilt the title in one of four directions.

Lowndes leads team-mate Jamie Whincup by just six points, with Ford duo Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison both within 125 points.

With a maximum 600 points on offer from the final two rounds, Phillip Island’s three races this weekend will be crucial.

Jeld-Wen Ford driver Alex Davison stole the show on Friday with a 1:30.96 lap to lead all-comers and was keen to stay there for race one.

“Life is so much easier up on the first two rows I can tell you,” he said.

He suggested a further second could be shaved in qualifying on Saturday.

The new Phillip Island surface has been credited with the quick times, leading teams to play with their tyre and car settings.

Fellow Ford driver David Reynolds suggested the consequences of getting the balance wrong would be dramatic.

“(It was) very scary, I’m not sure whether I’ll be coming back in my own racecar or in the ambulance tomorrow,” Reynolds said.

Championship leader Lowndes agreed the balance had yet to be found.

“We can still make some improvements here on the car, and I think everyone will,” he said.

Trailing Red Bull Racing team-mate Whincup until last round on the Gold Coast, Lowndes now finds himself leading the championship he last won in 1999.

“We’re in a good position, but we’ve got to keep pushing on,” Lowndes said.

“I’m not going to take any crazy risks but if I can be up the front out of harm’s way it’s the best position to be in.”

Bathurst winner Mark Winterbottom was brighter about his day as he chased his elusive first title.

“I was a bit concerned coming here with the track grip; it was the unknown. To come away with the car the way it is, I’m rapt,” Winterbottom said.

Saturday’s split 28-lap race precedes two 23-lap races on Sunday.