Lowndes puts FPR into top-ten shootout.

Craig Lowndes has put the CAT Ford Performance Racing Falcon into the top ten shout for the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 after setting the fourth fastest time in qualifying.

The 30 year old triple champion's performance was also enough to ensure that FPR finished the session as the top Ford qualifiers at the most prestigious round of the V8 Supercar season.

Lowndes' fastest lap time of 2m 08.3637s was less than three tenths of a second behind the fastest lap set by defending race champion Greg Murphy in the Kmart Holden.

"We managed to get the best out of the car today," Lowndes said afterwards. "It was our goal to make the top ten and we achieved that strongly in the closing stages, so I am very happy with our effort. There is no doubt that Rob Benson has done a terrific job with our engines even though he has only been with us a short time, we have improved a lot and after a tough season it is good to be in strong shape here at Bathurst."

Ford Credit FPV Falcon driver Adam Macrow set his fastest ever Bathurst qualifying lap time of 2m 09.6453s that placed him 23rd overall out of the 35 competitors, but an error during the session, when he missed a random vehicle weigh in, forced the exclusion of his qualifying lap time.

As a result, Macrow and his double British Touring Car Champion team mate Alain Menu will start from the back of the field.

"The car is great, I think we are in very good shape for the race," Macrow said after the session. "The car is well balanced, it is neutral on its tyres, the engine performed well and it was great to set a solid two minute, nine second lap here. I was trying very hard on that lap and it got a bit ragged. I'm disappointed about my regulation weighbridge error during the session. Alain and I will have a lot of work ahead of us from the rear of the grid on Sunday."

Chief engineer John Russell is confident that both cars will be able to build on a promising performance.

"Great effort by the team to be the fastest Ford at this the holy grail of Australian motorsport," he said. "Craig dug deep and rewarded the team with fourth place on the provisional grid. Adam drove a spirited session, posting a time only 1.6 seconds off pole, but sadly was excluded due to a misunderstanding with the officials at the pit lane scales. Race preparation continues with the team determined to capitalise on this strong start."