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 Sunday’s Great Race.

Whincup may be the defending champion, a four-time Bathurst winner and the series leader but remarkably it marked his first pole at the mountain.

The four-time V8 champion notched his 50th pole of his career – becoming the only active driver to boast the honour.

“I can die now knowing I have achieved a pole positions at Bathurst,” Whincup said.

“But pay day is tomorrow.”

All the momentum had been behind Ford after receiving the good news that they still had a V8 future from next year.

A dark cloud loomed after the manufacturer announced in May it would cease operating in Australia by 2016 and retire the Falcon name.

It appeared the great Ford-Holden Australian motorsport rivalry was on borrowed time – until Saturday’s stunning announcement just minutes before the Bathurst 1000 top 10 qualifying.

And Ford driver Mark Winterbottom kept the Blue Oval fans smiling when he clocked 2:08.07 to top the timesheets with just Whincup to come.

But Whincup showed why many believe he will be known as a V8 great by launching his Commodore around the tight Mount Panorama course to clinch an historic pole position.

Third fastest was Holden veteran Jason Bright (2:08.27) who just pipped flying Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen (2:08.28).

Holden’s five-time Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes – set to contest his 20th Bathurst and 500th touring car/V8 start on Sunday – was sixth fastest for Sunday’s 161-lap epic.