Ford duo Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom made an early-season V8 statement on Friday, but admit it’s time to back it up with results when they count.

Their Ford Performance Racing team dominated virtually all sessions on a busy Friday at the season-opening Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

But as Davison admitted, it was not the one that counted, with him third and Winterbottom seventh in the top-10 shootout for grid positions for Saturday’s opening race of the season.

Still, there was much to like about FPR’s speed and sharpness, with new signing David Reynolds in their sister team Bottle-O Racing also quickest in the practice session not featuring the competition’s big guns.

Winterbottom, who is nursing a healing broken leg, was quickest in two other practice sessions with Davison nipping at his wheels.

Then, Davison just missed a front-row grid position, seen off by Holden duo Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander during the shootout as Winterbottom was seventh.

For so long underachievers, FPR really hit their straps late last season with Winterbottom finishing third and Davison seventh in the series standings.

Now, Davison said it was time for FPR to take it to the next level, and start the season strongly enough to show themselves serious race-day rivals to Team Vodafone and Holden Racing Team.

“The organisation was really coming on strong in the back half of the year, and nothing’s changed in the off-season,” Davison said of FPR.

“We’ve just got to carry it on and make no mistakes.

“It was a great day for FPR. We topped every session except the one which topped the grid.

“But the car’s very quick. We’re in with a good shot this year, as are quite a few people. It’s a great team and hopefully we can do it justice with some good results this year.”