Bathurst 1000: Fords at the top in rain-soaked Thursday practice

On a rain-soaked Thursday at Mount Panorama, it was the Milwaukee Racing Ford of Will Davison that emerged with the fastest time after practice times were combined.

Richie Stanaway was quickest in Practice 3, but his time was well off Davison's Practice 1 lap as inclement weather interrupted the opening day of the 2018 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Stanaway set his fastest time 15 minutes into P3, with his 2:29.0174 unable to be beaten as the weather set in.

However, the Kiwi's time was just under four seconds off Davison's P1 marker of 2:25.0243.

😮😮

Join @RichieStanaway as he handles his way around a soaking Bathurst. #VASC #Bathurst1000 pic.twitter.com/9OiHXDSsj1

— Supercars (@supercars) October 4, 2018

2014 Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert ended the day with the second-fastest time, followed by Andre Heimgartner (Nissan), Michael Caruso (Nissan) and Mark Winterbottom (Ford).

Supercars series leader Shane van Gisbergen was the fastest Holden in seventh.

It’s very wet out there 🌧#VASC #Bathurst1000 pic.twitter.com/Axz76MVYA1

— Supercars (@supercars) October 3, 2018

At times during the day, dry wheel tracks emerged, but the rain didn't let up.

Some teams elected not to send their cars out in some sessions, with only 22 cars featuring in P3.

Notably, four-time Bathurst winner and reigning series champion Jamie Whincup didn't venture out after P1.

Only three cars could improve on their times after P1. However, none of them cracked the top 20.

With Saturday and Sunday expected to be fine and sunny, Thursday's running could be considered redundant by teams - however, the threat of rain for Friday qualifying remains ever-present, with teams sure to be biting their nails looking at the forecast.

We’re braving the weather today for Practice. The good news?

It’s set to clear right up for the weekend.#VASC #Bathurst1000 pic.twitter.com/F16qGFQMrv

— Supercars (@supercars) October 3, 2018

The fourth practice session - an hour-long session for co-drivers only - will kick off on Friday at at 8:30am AEST, before the all-important qualifying session at 3:50pm, with another practice session in between at 11:15am.

2018 BATHURST 1000

COMBINED THURSDAY PRACTICE RESULTS