Reigning champion Jamie Whincup and veteran co-driver Paul Dumbrell have stamped their authority over the Supercars field ahead of the Sandown 500.
The pair dominated practice in Melbourne on Friday, with Dumbrell setting a new lap record while Whincup also mastered the layout before conditions deteriorate.
A tricky qualifying test awaits all drivers on Saturday, with teeming rain and perhaps even hail forecast.
But on Friday's evidence, it's car No.1 that has the speed and driver pedigree to win and win well in the first of a block of three endurance tests.
"Minimising mistakes, that's the key," Whincup said, after racing to the front of the field.