Jamie Whincup has picked up in 2015 where he left the 2014 V8 Supercars season, emerging fastest in practice on Friday for the Clipsal 500.
After a lacklustre morning from the Red Bull team described by team boss Roland Dale as “p*** poor”, Whincup broke free of the shackles in the third and final practice session.
The six-time V8 Supercars champion driver was the only man to break through the one minute and 22 second barrier around the Adelaide street circuit.
His time of 1:20.9238 stood as the fastest in 90 minutes of practice for the first race of the season.
“I think we’re there or thereabouts,” Whincup said ahead of qualifying on Friday afternoon.
Holden ended the morning with a strong showing in practice session three.
Tim Slade, Lee Holdsworth, Jason Bright, Garth Tander and Craig Lowndes all finished in the top seven.
Bright finished the session early after a trip to the gravel in one of the session’s only incidents.
Earlier it was Nissan and Volvo that provided the quickest times.
Rick Kelly won the day’s first session and was second to emerging Kiwi Scott McLaughlin in session two.
Prodrive Australia’s Chaz Mostert was the quickest of the Fords, with returning legend Marcos Ambrose well off the pace.
Watched by billionaire backer Roger Penske, the two-time series champion’s best result was 17th.