Ford Performance Racing duo Mark Winterbottom and Steve Richards made nearly all the running in opening practice ahead of this weekend's Falken Tasmania Challenge, leaving Holden title contender Garth Tander the meat in a Blue Oval sandwich.

Orrcon Ford Credit FPR Falcon star Winterbottom set the fastest-ever touring car lap of the 2.4km Symmons Plains Raceway near Launceston, whilst team-mate Richards was similarly on top form, leading most of the second hour and eventually winding up just four tenths of a second adrift of the New South Wales native and a single tenth away from Tander.

The practice sessions were held in warm and sunny conditions with several drivers running off the circuit – including both FPR Falcon aces – as they attempted to improve their lap times. The top 19 cars were separated by less than a second at the end of proceedings, suggesting what looks set to be a very close fight during Saturday's qualifying session.

Winterbottom in particular continued his spectacular end-of-season comeback – one that has seen him climb back up to fifth in the points' standings, as both he and FPR seek to mount a title challenge in 2008 after finishing a close third last year.

“The car is obviously very strong,” the 26year-old affirmed. “[It was] nice to drive and it was a good, quick lap. I feel even better about it knowing it's the fastest anyone has gone here in a touring car.

“The left front tyre gained a lot of build-up and there was a vibration there throughout the sessions. I knew that once we fitted better tyres close to the end of practice we would improve substantially and that is what happened.

“We were still quick enough early on and it was good to be faster by the closing stages, but you've only got to make a small mistake here and it's a tenth of a second which can be four places. The track felt good today, similar to last year, and I believe there is still some more pace in the car; as the weather cools down it might actually get a bit faster. I'd rather be in the fight for the championship of course, but from where I am it's a pretty good view to be able to watch the battle between those four.”

Richards was in similarly positive mood following the session, though he warned it would be crucial to avoid any errors in the battle for the top spot in qualifying.

“The car felt great today,” the Kiwi double Bathurst 1,000 winner agreed. “Both FPR Falcons were very strong during practice, and this is a great position to be in so early in the weekend.

“The car is definitely good enough to gain pole position, and if I can get it right by making the most out of my new tyres we can be at the front tomorrow. I didn't do the best job on my second set of tyres today; I have to stop making mistakes like that for qualifying tomorrow in order to be on the front row.”