JAMES Moffat has fired a warning shot early in the Trico Trans Am Series season, topping the lone practice session ahead of this weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Race Tasmania at Symmons Plains Raceway.

The LMCT+ Mustang driver put a clear 0.2116sec over Nathan Herne (BlueGold Industries Mustang), with the pair of former champions quick throughout the 30-minute-long session.

Supercars driver James Golding was third aboard the CTE Mustang, just ahead of Todd Hazelwood (TFH Racing Mustang) and series newcomer Jordan Cox (Schaeffler Mustang).

Another rookie in the form of Lachlan Evennett (CAMM Racing Mustang) was highly impressive in sixth, ahead of GRM stablemate Tom Davies in another Mustang.

Ben Grice (All American Drivelines Mustang) was eighth from Nash Morris (Norwell Motorplex Mustang), with the top ten rounded out by Elliot Barbour (Pioneer DJ Camaro).

There were several minor issues during the Outright session, with Jason Haynes (Herzog Steel Mustang) and Cox both suffering multiple moments.

Earlier, the first 30 minutes of practice was solely devoted to the Pro-Am drivers.

Josh Thomas (TFH Racing Mustang) registered the fastest time, ultimately placing him 20th for the morning.

With a slick green track, drivers such as Jason Pryde (JPM/Waltec Motorsport Camaro), Graham Cheney (IES Motorsport Camaro) and Mark Bailey (Jax Tyres Camaro) all came unstuck, but continued without significant damage.

All 32 drivers in the Trico Trans Am Series return to Buckby Motors Symmons Plains Raceway for a two-part qualifying session from 1:10pm, split between the fastest and slower 16 drivers from practice, while the opening race of the season is scheduled for 4:20pm.

Both SBS and Kayo will provide coverage of qualifying and the race starting at 1:00pm, while fans trackside will be able to enjoy a track walk from 4:00pm.