Will Davison and James Moffat clocked the quickest times in the first practice session at the Winton 400.

Davison, in his Erebus Mercedes-Benz AMG, shot to the top of the times in the closing seconds, to knock off last year’s winning Norton Nissan by just 0.2 of a second.

Both Mercs featured in the top 10, with Lee Holdsworth fifth; and three of the four Nissans with Rick Kelly and Todd Kelly seventh and ninth. Meanwhile the final Nissasn driver Michael Caruso triggered a red flag in the session, running off track and reporting brake master cylinder issues.

While the Dunlop Series was significantly slower, due to sealant pulling off the track, the 1min22.6742 recorded by Davison’s Benz was just 0.8sec off the practice record, a 1min21.848 recorded by Rick Kelly in 2010. Drops of rain fell at the start of the session, but it is now clear ahead of two more V8 Supercars runs today.

Scott Pye was third quickest, with Fabian Coulthard fourth, ensuring four of the five marques sat at the top of the totem pole.

Davison’s teammate Lee Holdsworth completed the top five, with Chaz Mostert, Rick, Jamie Whincup, Todd, and Dale Wood in the top 10.

Others to note include Championship leader Craig Lowndes 13, Scott McLaughlin’s Volvo 16, Mark Winterbottom 20, and Holden Racing Team duo James Courtney and Garth Tander 21 and 22.

Click here for full session results. 

The second 20-minute practice session begins at 1.25pm local time.