Seven-time Supercars series champion Jamie Whincup has set the pace in opening practice for this weekend's Gold Coast 600 as runaway championship leader Scott McLaughlin struggled.
Holden star Whincup topped the timesheets in the 30 minute session, clocking one minute, 10.60 seconds to finish just 0.23 ahead of Ford's Chaz Mostert while Shane van Gisbergen was third fastest.
There was just one red flag when Holden young gun James Golding found the wall at turn 11 with seven minutes left in the session.
But all drivers found the tight, concrete wall lined street circuit, challenging - even Ford star McLaughlin.