#1 TRIPLE EIGHT RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Jamie Whincup (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 11
Best result: 1st (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012)

Paul Dumbrell (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 12
Best result: 1st (2012)

Summing up this entry is actually pretty simple: these guys won the race last year, have as good a car as there is in the field, and it's hard to argue against them being best driver pairing ahead of this year's race. Another way to say it is that this is the car to beat.

#2 HOLDEN RACING TEAM HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Garth Tander (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 15
Best result: 1st (2000, 2009, 2011)

Nick Percat (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 2
Best result: 1st (2011)

HRT has upped its game a bit this season, and as a result the boys from Clayton deserve to feel confident heading into the big one. The key in this entry is Garth Tander, who possesses a Fernando Alonso-like ability to be quick even when the car isn't. If HRT can give him even close to a decent rig, expect fireworks in qualifying, and (at least) a podium on race day. For Nick Percat, crashing last year was a blot in the copybook, but he's good enough in that supporting role.

#3 TONY D'ALBERTO RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Tony D'Alberto (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 8
Best result: 6th (2007)

Jonny Reid (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 2
Best result: DNF

Tony D'Alberto is a solid driver with plenty of miles around Bathurst, and Jonny Reid knows his way around as well, but at the most demanding race of the season it's hard to tackle the firepower of the big squads. A top-10 finish would be worth celebrating for this family-owned team.

#4 EREBUS MOTORSPORT MERCEDES E63 AMG

Lee Holdsworth (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 9
Best result: 3rd (2009)

Craig Baird (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 18
Best result: 4th (1997)

Horsepower and economy have been issues all season for Erebus and its brand new Mercs, and those are the two keys to success at Bathurst. However, these guys finished fourth at Sandown, also a circuit that rewards grunt, so you never know. Quality drivers but it's hard to see them even thinking about a podium.

#5 FORD PERFORMANCE RACING FORD FALCON FG

Mark Winterbottom (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 10
Best result: 4th (2008 and 2011)

Steven Richards (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 18
Best result: 1st (1998 and 1999)

This pairing should have already won Bathurst, but it's never quite happened. This year they have another chance. The cars seem quick enough, and both 'Frosty' (Winterbottom) and 'Richo' know what to do. All they need is for the team to learn from past mistakes (of which there have been a few). It's an important year for FPR, with big question marks over the team's future backing. A victory here would be huge.

#6 FORD PERFORMANCE RACING FORD FALCON FG

Will Davison (AUS)
Bathurst Starts: 9
Best Result: 1st (2009)

Steve Owen (AUS)
Bathurst Starts: 14
Best Result: 2nd (2010)

The #6 is in basically the same situation as the #5: both drivers are more than capable of winning this race, and the car should be quick enough too. But it will take a flawless afternoon to beat the Triple 8 Commodores. Is FPR up to it?

#7 NISSAN MOTORSPORT NISSAN ALTIMA L33

Todd Kelly (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 15
Best result: 1st (2005)

David Russell (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 3
Best result: 15th (2012)

Given how new the Nissans are, it's very hard to judge how they will go at Bathurst. One prediction is that the Altimas will be rockets across the top of the Mountain, but might lose a bit on the straight bits. As for the drivers, Todd Kelly is a former winner and has huge experience at this race. In David Russell he has a competent co-driver capable of helping snare a top 10.

#8 BRAD JONES RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Jason Bright (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 16
Best Result: 1st (1998)

Andrew Jones (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 9
Best result: 4th (2005)

Brad Jones Racing could be a threat here. The cars have been fast all season, and this is a team that generally pulls something special out of the bag for Bathurst anyway. Jason Bright is a former winner, and Andy Jones has done enough laps. These guys could finish on the podium based on pure pace.

#9 EREBUS MOTORSPORT MERCEDES E63 AMG

Maro Engel (D)
Bathurst starts: 0
Best result: N/A

Steven Johnson (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 19
Best result: 3rd (2007)

So, who's going to qualify this car? That's the question, thanks to Erebus's shrewd signing of Steven Johnson. While Maro Engel has done a fine job in his rookie year in what is a tough championship, he's facing a steep learning curve for Bathurst. Stevie J, on the other hand, knows his way around just fine, and has the potential to be quick. This will be a tough weekend for Engel, but it's a big chance for him to learn a lot.

#10 TRIPLE EIGHT RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Mattias Ekstrom (S)
Bathurst starts: 0
Best result: N/A

Andy Priaulx (GB)
Bathurst Starts: 3
Best result: 12th (2009)

This entry is a genuine Wildcard. It's fantastic to see it being used in this way, but it's still going to be a tough weekend for these guys. Both have plenty of talent, and Priaulx has been to Bathurst before, but it's been a long time since European drivers have rocked up and been on the pace straight away. It will be tough, but fun to watch.

#12 DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON FG

Chaz Mostert (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 0
Best result: N/A

Dale Wood (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 5
Best result: 9th (2011)

Chaz Mostert is a dark horse to make the Shoot-out in qualifying. That's a big call since this is his Bathurst 1000 debut, but he's good enough to do it. In what's been a tough season so far for DJR, Mostert has been a beacon of hope. And he's been quick in the Development Series here, so he's no stranger to the place. Dale Wood is a solid support act, which leaves the team and the car as the only real question marks.

#14 BRAD JONES RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Fabian Coulthard (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 9
Best result: 10th (2008)

Luke Youlden (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 13
Best result: 3rd (2003)

This car is in a very similar boat to that of the #8. The BJR cars have been quick this year, and Fabian Coulthard has had a stand-out year. Luke Youlden has been around forever and is good enough, so a podium could beckon.

#15 NISSAN MOTORSPORT NISSAN ALTIMA L33

Rick Kelly (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 12
Best result: 1st (2003 and 2004)

Karl Reindler (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 5
Best result: 11th (2009)

Rick Kelly is absolutely a proven quantity at Bathurst, and while his results don't necessarily reflect it, Karl Reindler has had some good drives there, too. Tackling a race like this in a brand new model of car can be tough, but a finish well inside the top 10 isn't impossible.

#17 DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON FG

Tim Blanchard (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 2
Best result: 18th (2012)

Ash Walsh (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 0
Best result: N/A

It's probably going to be a tough race for these guys. Tim Blanchard has endured a difficult season up to this point, and Ash Walsh made a mistake and crashed out of the Sandown 500, his first race in a main-game seat. A top 10 would be a massive result for this entry.

#18 CHARLIE SCHWERKOLT RACING FORD FALCON FG

Alex Davison (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 9
Best result: 8th (2007)

John McIntyre (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 6
Best result: 6th (2011)

This is a case of two experienced drivers in good machinery (the car is run out of FPR). This entry will finish in the top 10 if nothing goes wrong, and the top five if everything goes right.

#19 TEKNO AUTOSPORTS HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Jono Webb (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 7
Best result: 6th (2012)

Marc Lieb (D)
Bathurst starts: 0
Best result: N/A

Tekno made a couple of left-field decisions on co-drivers, and it's hard to see it paying off. While Marc Lieb looked decent on the Gold Coast, this is Bathurst - and it's much, much harder. None of this is to say Lieb can't drive, and who knows, he might be the surprise of the race, but it's fair to assume that Jamie Whincup won't be losing too much sleep over this entry in the build-up.

#21 BRITEK MOTORSPORT HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

David Wall (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 4
Best result: 14th (2011 and 2012)

Chris Pither (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 3
Best result: 14th (2012)

This entry is run out of BJR and, as has already been mentioned, the BJR Commodores are good. David Wall is a competent, if not spectacular, driver and can run in the mid-pack. Team-mate Chris Pither still has to prove himself at this level, and has a decent chance to do so here.

#22 HOLDEN RACING TEAM HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

James Courtney (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 8
Best result: 2nd (2007)

Greg Murphy (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 20
Best result: 1st (1996, 1999, 2003, 2004)

Greg Murphy was a superstar signing for HRT, because the guy just has an X-Factor when it comes to Bathurst. Back at Clayton, 10 years on from 'The Lap of the Gods' (head straight to YouTube if you don't know what that means), this would be Holden's fairytale win - and it's not impossible to see it happening.

#33 GARRY ROGERS HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Scott McLaughlin (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 1
Best result: 6th (2012)

Jack Perkins (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 7
Best result: 8th (2011)

Along with Chaz Mostert, Scott McLaughlin has been one of the stand-outs of the season. It turns out the lanky kid from New Zealand is seriously fast, and is another driver who could make a surprise Shoot-out appearance on Saturday afternoon. With the experienced and capable Jack Perkins alongside him, this entry is a dark horse for the podium.

#34 GARRY ROGERS HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Alexandre Premat (F)
Bathurst starts: 1
Best result 16th (2012)

Greg Ritter (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 12
Best result: 4th (2001 and 2004)

It's been a tough season-and-a-half for Alex Premat in Australia, and it's hard to see that turning around at Bathurst. At least this year he might get to qualify his own car. As for his co-driver, Greg Ritter is one of the last old school co-drivers who does nothing except for the enduros all year - and despite the lack of miles is almost always reasonably fast.

#36 NISSAN MOTORSPORT NISSAN ALTIMA L33

Michael Caruso (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 7
Best result: 3rd (2009)

Daniel Gaunt (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 3
Best result: 12th (2011)

Put simply, this is far from the worst driver pairing in the field. They will need a little luck to end up on the podium, particularly given that this is the Nissan Altima's debut at Bathurst, but a solid top-10 finish is absolutely possible.

#47 JAMES ROSENBERG RACING MERCEDES C63 AMG

Tim Slade (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 4
Best result: 7th (2009 and 2012)

Andrew Thompson (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 6
Best result: 7th (2012)

Tim Slade is a quality driver, and Andrew Thompson has had his moments at Bathurst in the Development Series. Not a bad pairing, and this should be one of the quicker Erebus cars, but it's hard to see them posing any sort of threat in the Merc.

#55 ROD NASH RACING FORD FALCON FG

David Reynolds (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 5
Best result: 2nd (2012)

Dean Canto (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 14
Best result: 2nd (2012)

This exact pairing almost won the race last year, and there's absolutely nothing stopping them going one spot better in 2013. The car is run out of FPR, so it will be fast, and between David Reynolds's star power and Dean Canto's experience and ability, there are no questions on the driver front. Genuine contender.

#66 WALKINSHAW RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Russell Ingall (GB)
Bathurst starts: 21
Best result: 1st (1995 and 1997)

Ryan Briscoe (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 2
Best result: 25th (2010)

Russell Ingall knows how to win Bathurst, but it's been a long time since he's done it. And while Ryan Briscoe is a world-class driver, he's unlikely to streak away from the Whincups and Winterbottoms in the field based on previous experience. They will need a little luck to sneak into the top 10, but hey, this is Bathurst.

#80 LUCAS DUMBRELL HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Scott Pye (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 1
Best result: DNF

Paul Morris (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 20
Best result: 3rd (1999)

Scott Pye looked strong at the start of the season, but a couple of crashes seem to have slowed him down a bit. Signing Paul Morris as a co-driver could go either way - he has moments of madness, but also has moments of strategic brilliance. He's a wily guy, and throw mixed weather or an odd-timed safety car in the mix and a solid mid-field finish could beckon.

#88 LUCAS DUMBRELL HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Dean Fiore (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 5
Best result: 20th (2011)

Matt Halliday (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 7
Best result: 4th (2010)

Both of these guys can drive, but it's hard to see them being Bathurst winners by the end of this. It's a long race, so the focus should be keeping the car off the wall and seeing what happens.

#97 TEKNO AUTOSPORTS HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Shane van Gisbergen (NZ)
Bathurst starts: 6
Best result: 6th (2011)

Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL)
Bathurst starts: 0
Best result: N/A

Shane van Gisbergen has already played the move of the season by switching from Erebus to Tekno. But while the Giz Kid is a quality driver, and could well qualify in the top 10, it's hard to see them running at the front for a race distance with race rookie Jeroen Bleekemolen in the mix.

#360 NISSAN MOTORSPORT NISSAN ALTIMA L33

James Moffat (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 3
Best result: 10th (2012)

Taz Douglas (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 3
Best result: 22nd (2010)
It's been a great year for James Moffat. He's won a race, and looked very good up against Rick and Todd Kelly and Michael Caruso. Taz Douglas has been to Bathurst before, and is getting plenty of miles in the Development Series, so a top 10 could beckon for these guys.

#888 TRIPLE EIGHT RACING HOLDEN COMMODORE VF

Craig Lowndes (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 19
Best result: 1st (1996, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010)

Warren Luff (AUS)
Bathurst starts: 13
Best result: 3rd (2012)

What more is there to say? All the ingredients are there for Craig Lowndes to win his sixth Bathurst. This entry's only hurdle is the #1 and its strong driver pairing, but you can never discount Craig at Bathurst. He's sublime there, and #888 will take a lot of beating.

This week's AUTOSPORT magazine - available on Thursday October 10, and in digital format here - features a comprehensive Bathurst 1000 supplement