Ford Performance Racing have sent out a clear message to their Holden rivals ahead of Saturday’s first race of the Hamilton V8 Supercar round.

FPR cars made a clean sweep of practice, spearheaded by championship leader Will Davison.

Davison shattered the practice record as he led a trio of Fords home in the final of four sessions at the tight street track, with Mark Winterbottom second quickest ahead of David Reynolds.

His time of 1 minute 21.79 seconds was a full second quicker than the previous time set by Holden’s Craig Lowndes last year.

Reigning champion Jamie Whincup, one of the most dominant drivers in New Zealand, was relegated to 17th quickest while his Team Vodafone teammate Lowndes could manage just sixth place.

Davison said each of the Ford Performance Racing drivers had pushed each other in ideal conditions.

“I think it was obviously just a good day,” Davison said. “Everyone pushed the envelope and progressed things.”

However, he said the circuit was essentially the same as when Lowndes set his fast practice lap last season.

“To be honest the track’s not been resurfaced anywhere, there’s no widened areas.

The round opens with a gruelling 59-lap race on Saturday followed by a second mini-enduro on Sunday.