Murphy's thoughts on the 2min05

His record time may be long gone, but Greg Murphy's 2003 'Lap of the Gods' qualifying is one of Bathurst's greatest memories for many.

Today, Murphy watched on in the Holden Racing Team garage as Ford's Mark Winterbottom obliterated the times we have seen at Mount Panorama, recording the first ever 2min05 lap in a V8 Supercar.

"It's great, obviously it was a very good lap," Murphy said during the session.

"My prediction was not far off what he's done - we'll see if they can go faster. In qualifying when they tighten the belts a bit they might go faster."

He then added, jokingly: "He'll have to beat everyone by a second for it to be special", as his lap was 1.09sec ahead of closest contender John Bowe back in 2003.

Winterbottom was of course pleased with the lap and agrees we'll see even lower times later this afternoon.

He also feelsthe Lap of the Gods was a great part of Bathurst history.

"In the context of it all, Murph in '03, (mine) is only two-tenths to the next guy and not a second, because his lap was seriously special."

After a tough few rounds, Winterbottom is just glad to have pace in the Pepsi Max Falcon.

"It's awesome to be quick. The track here is incredible and when you've got a good car there's nothing more enjoyable... Unfortunately that's just practice."

Murphy added that it wasn't just the Fords that were quick - but that the grip levels at the circuit had been unpredictable.

"The grip is quite a funny limit and it really lets go quite quickly," Murphy said.

"A lot of cars are going offline, a lot of guys using more road than they've got ... Finding the limit is quite difficult."

Qualifying begins at 3pm at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.