In the opening round of time trials, Brazier set the fastest time of 10.862 seconds after blasting around Allansford’s Premier Speedway circuit.

That was quick enough to head the first group, with the V26 machine of Nick Lacey second quickest in a 10.958 effort, just ahead of Warrnambool hope Stephen Bell (10.983).

Some of the more disappointing efforts in the time trials included Australia’s leading contender James McFadden, who has been on fire this season but managed just the 18th quickest time.

Brazier was delighted with his effort but made it clear that a quick time trial was only the start of what he expected would be a testing campaign to win the 40th Classic.

But at the very least, the ever-popular Brazier looked on the pace.

The field was split into two groups so that as the track wore down, later cars were not as badly off.

That meant that the drivers in the second group received the same points as the first depending on ranks in their own group.

As fastest in the first group, Brazier earned the right to start heat one off pole position. Likewise, 1997 classic winner Trevor Green qualified fastest in the second group and started heat five off pole position.

Green managed a time of 12.035 to lead in three-time Classic winner Kerry Madsen (12.132), with young south-west hopeful Tim Rankin in devastating form to table the third quickest time of 12.141.

Of the United States contingent, Jason Johnson finished eighth quickest and star Craig Dollansky finished well back in 11th place.

Brazier said he had some luck getting on the track early in the first group.

He said it was a privilege to be able to drive a car crewed by his father and son, while his mother also helped keep the boys in line.

“We haven’t had fastest time for a while so it’s very nice,” he said.

“It’s been 19 years since I won the Classic. I think if we put it all together, we can go well in the heats and give ourselves a great chance of winning the Classic.”

Green said getting out early in the second group was a bonus.

“We were lucky we got to go out early, unlike last year when we went out about 85th car,” he said.

“We’re happy to come back and put in a good time trial. Now we need to get some points in the heats and we’ll go from there.”