Russell Ingall (Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore) did however lose valuable sorting time having to change a recalcitrant gearbox although James Courtney was disappointed to register a scant two laps before dropping a cylinder in his Jim Beam Racing Falcon.

“It happened in the first 20 minutes after I'd done a lap running a system's check and bedding in some brakes,” he said. “On my second flying lap the motor lapsed onto seven cylinders so now I've no data to work with in regards to the tyre or handling.”

Rounding out the top ten behind Whincup were Rick Kelly (Jack Daniels Racing VE), Ford Performance Racing's defending Darwin race winners Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards, Alex Davison (Irwin Racing) and rookie Tim Slade in the second Supercheap Auto Racing VE.

Notable drivers cagily keeping back their best rubber included Jason Bright (13th), Tander (17th), Todd Kelly (18th), Ingall (19th) and Steven Johnson (21st).