Three practice sessions were scheduled for the V8 Supercars on Thursday along with practice sessions for drivers in the Dunlop Series, Touring Car Masters and V8 Ute Series. 

In the first practice session Craig Lowndes took the fastest time with a 2.10.1021, followed by Mark Winterbottom with 2.10.2767, Jason Bright with 2.10.3569, David Reynolds 2.10.3828 and Jamie Whincup with 2.10.6310. 

In the second practice session, reserved only for the co-drivers, Steven Richards took fastest place with a time of 2.10.5331, Paul Dumbrell was second with 2.10.9692 and Warren Luff was third with a time of 2.11.0196. 

A red flag period was called when Andrew Thompson in the 47 Erebus Motorsport V8 Mercedes-Benz put his car into the wall off the chase. The car was extracted from the gravel and returned to pit lane on a tow truck. 

Three red flags marred the third practice session with Andrew Thompson's 47 Erebus Motorsport V8 Mercedes-Benz team mate Tim Slade hitting the wall at The Cutting after just two flying laps. 

Slade sustained more damage to a car that had already been quickly repaired following the incident in the second practice session. 

Alex Davison caused a second stop a short time later with an accident at Reid Park. The third red flag was caused by a crash from Todd Kelly and mechanical problems from Jason Bright.

Finishing up the third and final practice session for Thursday was Jamie Whincup in first position with a time of 2.08.32, Mark Winterbottom in second (2.09.05), David Reynolds in third (2.09.33), Will Davidson in fourth (2.09.35) and Shane Van Gisbergen in fifth (2.09.37). 

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