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Ford pair Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup got their history-making mission off to an ideal start today, topping the practice charts at the Bathurst 1000.
But it was the names making up the minor placings that caused heads to turn and they added a bit of life to the post-practice press conference.
The all-Kiwi Holden pairing of Jason Richards and Greg Murphy were second fastest and the outspoken Russell Ingall and Paul Morris fifth.
Richards and Murphy have particularly struggled in the V8 Supercar championship this year, sitting 18th and 19th respectively.
Murphy, a four-time Bathurst winner, jokingly acted lost as he entered the press conference area today, asking if he was in the right place because he hadn’t featured in the top three in any practice or qualifying session, race or round, in over 12 months.
“The car was pretty good out of the box. We made a few really good changes which improved it and we’re excited about it because it’s been a real struggle this year and this is the best car we’ve had this year I reckon,” Murphy said.
Triple Eight Racing’s Lowndes and Whincup clocked 2mins: 07.5975secs around the iconic 6.2km circuit, almost two tenths of a second quicker than Richards and Murphy.
Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards finished third fastest, more than half a second off the pace, followed by the Holdens of Rick Kelly and Paul Radisich and Ingall and Morris.
Ingall, 44, had only recently called for more personality among the leading V8 Supercar drivers and today he revelled in the spotlight when he got his chance behind the microphone after everyone else in the top five had spoken admirably of their day.
“I just can’t handle all this happiness,” he said. “It’s depressing, it bores me to death, come on you guys,” he said, tongue-in-cheek, also playing with the cameras and going out of his way to plug his sponsors.
“No look, we’re happy,” he added simply, drawing another laugh.
Lowndes and Whincup are shooting for a record-equalling hat-trick at Mount Panorama, which would put them on par with Peter Brock and Jim Richards (1978-80) and Brock and Larry Perkins (1982-84).
“It was a great day but it’s only very early days,” said Whincup, who was responsible for clocking the fastest time.
“It’s my seventh year at the mountain and the first time I’ve had a set of green tyres on which is pretty crazy. It’s an amazing feeling going over the top of the hill with a good car and good tyres.”
Reigning series champion and current standings leader Garth Tander, who is partnering five-time Bathurst champion Mark Skaife at the Holden Racing Team, was tenth fastest.
There will be another practice session tomorrow morning before the first stage of qualifying in the afternoon.
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