The amateur-only opening practice session saw Russell Ingall take his Team Castrol Vodafone M6 to the top, completing the Mount Panorama circuit in two minutes and 6.439 seconds.

MARC Cars Australia’s Chaz Mostert made a late dash for the finish line in the day’s third practice session to produce the top time of 2:03.312.

In the fourth and final practice session of the day Laser Plumbing and Electrical’s Marco Wittmann took his M6 to the top again thanks to a 2:03.219 lap.

Toni Vilander spoiled the BMW clean sweep as he topped session two in the Maranello Ferrari 488 (2:04.513).

Mostert said his car still has plenty to give.

“It was pretty lucky, I had one or two cars I had to pass but I was on the straight, so was lucky enough to have a clear lap,” he said.

“The car felt pretty good, we will keep making some adjustments and see if we can make it a bit faster.

“There is a bit more in the car and in me I think – it was my first session. I think everyone up and down pit lane has more in them.”

Jamie Whincup appeared to have the top time secured in the Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 488, with a 2:04.248, until Mostert swooped home late.

The red flag was out after 10 minutes of the final practice session when Tim Berryman, in his Ginetta G55, contacted the wall on the run towards McPhillamy Park.

Garth Tander set the early pace in his Jamec Pem Audi (2:04.513) before Wittmann pounced with his sharp lap.

“It was a good lap, but tomorrow is when it counts,” Wittman said after the session.

Trouble also arose late in the session for the JBS Australia Lago Racing Lamborghini R-EX, which found itself stranded on Mountain Straight with a broken throttle pedal.

The last practice session for the 12 Hour will take place 8am Saturday and qualifying will follow at 10.40am.

From there the countdown towards the highly anticipated Top 10 Shootout (3.40pm) begins.