Tander on top in qualifying at Tradingpost Perth Challenge

TOLL Holden Racing Team's Garth Tander has claimed pole position for today's opening race of the Tradingpost Perth Challenge.

Rain showers hit the circuit earlier this morning, but the track slowly dried during qualifying. Tander posted his fastest time - a 1.02.1974 - on his last flying lap, after swapping to slick tyres late in the session.

"I didn't think we were going to get the temperature we needed," admitted Tander.

"We probably put the slicks on two or three laps early, because we have to look after the wets this weekend.

"On the slicks I thought 'this thing is never going to hook up' but it came up right at the end. I just survived seven corners to get around!"

It is Tander's second Armor All pole position of the year, and his first at the Barbagallo circuit since 2007.

He edged out Team BOC's Jason Bright, who will start alongisde Tander on the front row, ahead of Jamie Whincup, Jonathon Webb and Mark Winterbottom.

Bottle-O Racing's David Reynolds made a late charge to finish 6th.

Lockwood Racing's Fabian Coulthard temporarily held pole position after switching to slicks early, but finished 7th - his best qualifying result this season.

James Courtney, Will Davison and Lee Holdsworth rounded out the top ten.

Race 7 of the V8 Supercar Championship starts at 2.05pm local time (4.05pm AEST) today.