Only something special was going to dampen Ford fans' spirits at Bathurst 1000 top-10 qualifying after the iconic manufacturer confirmed it would re-commit to the V8 Supercars championship next year.
But Holden's Jamie Whincup promptly provided it, completing a scorching lap as the last car out in qualifying to clock two minutes and 7.88 seconds and claim pole for today's Great Race.
Whincup may be the defending champion, a four-time Bathurst winner and the series leader but remarkably, it was his first pole at the mountain. The four-time V8 champion notched the 50th pole of his career - becoming the only active driver to boast the honour.
"I can die now knowing I have achieved a pole position at Bathurst," Whincup said. "But pay day is [today]."
All the momentum had been behind Ford after receiving the good news that they still had a V8 future from next year.
