Garth Walden has set the fastest time in opening practice for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.
Driving the Am Class RAM Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 to be shared with Michael Sheargold, Walden set a 2m 42.807s in drying conditions.
Second was the Triple Eight Race Engineering Mercedes-AMG of Broc Feeney and Prince Jefri Ibrahim, while Brett Hobson rounded out the top three for the marque in the GWR Australia example to be shared with Mike Bailey.
In its Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS debut, EMA Motorsport’s Garnet Patterson was fourth in the Porsche 911 GT3R, while Marcel Zalloua was second in Am Class for Valmont Racing in its new Audi.
German Christer Joens was sixth partnering returnee and multiple GT title winner Geoff Emery in the return for Jamec Pem Racing for Audi.
Am Class contender Matt Stoupas was sixth ahead of Mercedes-AMG convert Justin McMillan in the M Motorsport example, with GT Trophy contender Marcos Flack driving his regular Sonic Motor Racing Services Porsche 991 GT3 Cup Car and Am Class debutant Michael Kokkinos 10th for Launch Racing.
Just outside the top 10 were Sam Brabham in the Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport Mercedes-AMG, the first of the MARCs of Grant Donaldson and Stephen Coe in his GT Trophy Ferrari.
Liam Talbot and Brad Schumacher ran limited times in their Audis to be down the field as the second Triple Eight Race Engineering Mercedes-AMG to be shared by Jamie Whincup and Prince Abu Bakar failed to set a lap.
Conditions will hopefully improve ahead of the second practice session at 1:40pm AEST.