The sequence chief successfully cleared the path all through the half-hour session, his 1m13.688 coming within the first 10 minutes.
That was as quick as he went, nevertheless it proved ok to hold on to prime spot on the finish.
Fellow Kiwi Andre Heimgartner went closest to knocking van Gisbergen off, his ultimate run taking him inside a tenth.
Scott Pye sat second for a lot of the session courtesy of a 1m13.892s earlier than being bumped again to 3rd by Heimgartner’s late enchancment.
Will Davison edged Dick Johnson Racing teammate Anton De Pasquale in fourth and fifth whereas Broc Feeney was a promising sixth.
David Reynolds was seventh regardless of complaining of a scarcity of steadiness in his Grove Racing Mustang whereas Todd Hazelwood recovered from a visit down the escape highway to complete eighth quickest.
Tim Slade and Mark Winterbottom rounded out the High 10.
James Golding, in the meantime, marked his return as a full-time driver with the twenty third greatest time, simply over a second off the tempo.
That was regardless of having by no means pushed the PremiAir Racing Holden earlier than the session.
“Again the place I belong, that is what it looks like,” he mentioned.
“I am simply getting again in a rhythm, getting used to every thing within the automotive. The nice factor is the Staff 18 vehicles are Triple Eight[-built] as properly, so all of the buttons are in the identical spot.
“It is nearly settling in and getting used to all the processes once more. However I am feeling fairly snug.”
Apply continues with a second half-hour classes at 2:50pm native time.
