Preview: Wide-open Bathurst 1000
This weekend's Bathurst 1000 looks to be the most open in the event's four-decade history. Recent form among the 41 V8 Supercar teams preparing for the assault on Mount Panorama indicates that there is no clear favourite for the classic 161-lap Australian enduro
The Holden Racing Team, whose drivers Mark Skaife and Jason Bright lead the Australian Championship, has decided to 'split' their entries and the lead drivers will be partnered by veterans Tony Longhurst and Tomas Mezera respectively.
But the Holden works team has been overshadowed in recent races by the Commodore VX of Russell Ingall, who will share a car with six-time Bathurst winner Larry Perkins. The pair fought out a thrilling Queensland 500 with the Ford of Paul Radisich/Steven Johnson and both pairings appear to be at the forefront of betting for the Great Race.
Double race winner Greg Murphy will share his Kmart Racing Commodore with brilliant youngster Todd Kelly, while Kelly's 18-year-old brother Rick, the 2001 Australian Formula Holden Champion, will make his Bathurst debut, partnered with Nathan Pretty.
On the Ford side, perennial bridesmaid Glenn Seton looks to have his best chance at winning the race, sharing his Ford Tickford Racing Falcon with double winner Steven Richards, while many will be watching Craig Lowndes, who will be debuting a new Gibson Motorsport factory-backed Falcon with Neil Crompton as co-driver.
Marcos Ambrose will be making his first appearance at the race, the ex-Formula 3 driver sharing with coming man Wayne Wakefield, and never have so many eyes been focused on a mountain rookie.
Following the late withdrawal of Matt Neal from Paul Morris's entry, John Cleland will be the sole European driver in the race this year, the two-time BTCC winner sharing a Ford with Brad Jones.
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