Leading the score sheets on Thursday at Bathurst doesn't mean much in the long run, but it's better than being last.

Leading the score sheets on Thursday at Bathurst doesn't mean much in the long run, but it's better than being last.

The car felt good and we managed to get the best time out of it, even though we were fairly heavily interrupted with safety cars in the session. Craig (Lowndes) got a run in the middle section on old tyres and then they left me in the car for the balance of the session on new tyres and I got the best time.

However, it will still be Craig tomorrow who will do the qualifying. I'll fill in the gaps. The car didn't really feel fast yet the times were great. It was cold so there was a lot of grip, so that helped. It also felt nice to drive and gave me a lot of confidence for the weekend ahead. I only got a few laps and set the best time on the 10th flying lap around which was not much. I figure there is still more in me and in the car, but we're well in the ballpark.

We carried a lot of confidence coming into this event and this can only extend that, but we understand how it can go pear-shaped. Phillip Island showed us that. And now Lowndes is out for revenge ... we all are. We felt like we got robbed at Phillip Island so we will use that as motivation.

It was under 10 degrees out there, but nice and sunny, however the rain is on its way. Not sure when, but we will most certainly be driving in the wet at some stage. I'm almost positive. The Tander/Davison car had a few issues with tyres in that session but don't worry, they will bounce back like they always do.

We have practice in the morning and again Saturday morning with qualifying Friday afternoon and Top 10 Shootout Saturday afternoon. We just need to keep fine-tuning the car and fine-tuning our driving. We still don't have a race strategy, but we'll look at the computers, work out our fuel economy and make a plan.

I hear Mark Larkham thinks we will be too distracted by the change next year to Holden, but we've built cars before for ourselves and other teams and it hasn't distracted us. We are definitely focused on this event. It may be a one-off, but it counts for so much in the championships. The track looks very similar to last year, but with some improved safety. Over the top they've added some yellow lights so we get more warning of a crash and they've made some changes to the surface and the off-track area around the Esses so we dont get rubble on the road. There have been some safety issues in the past, but it just goes to show that they have listened and addressed it.