Third placed Tander was third fastest today and pleased with his car as he pushes for a possible defence of his V8 Supercar crown.

“There's a slight possibility it might happen. The good thing is our car was strong out of the box today and I am very pleased.”

The drivers had to cope with a sharp shower in the middle of the three practice sessions with some drivers testing out their cars in the wet and others preferring to save themselves.

They will all have to chase Winterbottom who was delighted with the Ford's speed on a track that they dominated last year, finishing in a Blue Oval trifecta.

“It was nice to have the car back to where it has been a couple of races ago. Tomorrow may be quite tricky as it could be dry and it could be wet. That could make for some pretty interesting and exciting racing.”

Paul Dumbrell was fourth fastest ahead of Steven Richards, Whincup, James Courtney, Will Davison and Mark Skaife, in his final race at Symmons Plains before retirement.

There is qualifying and race one tomorrow [Saturday] with two further races on Sunday.