Augusto Farfus kicked off a new World Touring Car season by topping the first practice session of the weekend at Curitiba, breaking the lap record in the process.
Treated mostly as a shakedown for the 21-strong line-up that will compete in the opening two races of the season,
BMW's Farfus held off a late barrage of fast times from three of SEAT's diesel Leon to take first blood.
In an off-season tempered by concerns over equalisation, organisers will be encouraged to find the top eleven cars, including all three Chevrolets, within a second of one another.
Behind Farfus, who set a time faster than his pole position lap from last year's race, Gabriele Tarquini, Rickard Rydell and Jordi Gene filled the second, third and fourth fastest times, their final laps pushing Chevrolet's Nicola Larini down to fifth quickest overall.
Reigning champion Andy Priaulx and BMW counterpart Jorg Muller were sixth and seventh fastest, ahead of Chevrolet duo Alain Menu and Rob Huff. Felix Porteiro rounded out the top ten.
Although peppered by several minor incidents, the drivers managed 30 minutes of uninterrupted track time
In the Independent category, Proteam's Sergio Hernandez set the pace, marginally ahead of Exagon Engineering's Pierre-Yves Corthals.
Two more practice sessions will take place before qualifying tomorrow.
![Augusto Farfus - BMW Team Germany [Pic credit: BMW]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/398692.jpg)
