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One of the finest motor racing circuits on the planet will erupt this afternoon as the ten best V8 Supercar drivers get one lap each to decide the 2013 Bathurst 1000 start grid. Join us at 5.00pm AEST for live updates.
The action so far this weekend has thrown up a few wildcards with Chaz Mostert looking particularly racy before binning it at Reid Park, and Swede Mattias Ekstrom turning heads with great pace on his maiden visit to the mountain.
But when the music stopped after qualifying Friday, we were left with the cream of the 2013 crop.
Each of these top ten drivers from Friday will get a single lap of Mount Panorama to decide their place for Sunday’s race.
In a little over two minutes, they will travel more then 6km while also climbing and then descending over 170m, reaching over 300km/h and steering through 23 corners.
A good position will keep them clear from any first corner chaos and more importantly, prove the difference between being on optimum pit strategy versus having to work around your teammate.
This is the order that the drivers will get their shot this afternoon:
1st – Alexandre Premat, Holden, Garry Rogers Motorsport
Co-driver: Greg Ritter
Time: 2:08:5900
Both GRM cars make the shootout and French single seater Ace Premat will be delighted to get a chance for a good start Sunday.
He has struggled in V8 Supercars so far but as his stonking fourth at Adelaide has proved, endurance racing is his thing.
2nd – Scott McLaughlin, Holden, Garry Rogers Motorsport
Co-driver: Jack Perkins
Time: 2:08:5792
This has been the breakthrough season for McLaughlin who has turned heads with two mighty wins at Pukekohe and the Queensland Raceway.
A young man with a huge future in the sport who is partnered with Jack Perkins, whose father Larry has won the race a staggering six times.
3rd – David Reynolds, Ford, Rod Nash Racing (Operated by FPR)
Co-driver: Dean Canto
Time: 2:08:4475
2012’s nearly man is back in the hunt again. His thrilling chase of Whincup last year had fans cheering for the laconic Reynolds, who has been a consistent top ten finisher throughout this season. Very handy co-driver in Dean Canto.
4th – Will Davison, Ford, Ford Performance Racing
Co-driver: Steve Owen
Time: 2:08:4451
Davison has relished taking the fight to the all-conquering 888 Commodores in recent years and 2013 has been no exception, quick all week at Bathurst and expect this afternoon to get more of the same. Great co-driver in former regular driver Steve Owen.
5th – Craig Lowndes, Holden, Triple Eight Race Engineering
Co-driver: Warren Luff
Time: 2:08:4042
As sure as the sun will rise each morning, Lowndes will rise for the great race.
The five-time winner knows his way around Mount Panorama better then anyone in the field and you can be sure that he will squeeze every last ounce of performance out of the car.
Matched very well with his rock solid reliable co driver Warren Luff.
6th – Shane Van Gisbergen, Holden, Tekno Autosports (built by 888)
Co-driver: Jeroen Bleekemolen
Time: 2:08:2824
Fresh from a spectacularly dramatic exit from Stone Brothers last year, Van Gisbergen has been all pace this season, winning races and putting his Tekno Commodore much higher then had been expected.
Dutch partner Bleekemolen is back after a very pleasing debut at the mountain last year.
7th – James Courtney, Holden, Holden Racing Team
Co-driver: Greg Murphy
Time: 2:08:2476
So HRT has paired James Courtney, all style and smiles, former Formula 1 tester and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ alumni, with Greg Murphy, the gruff Kiwi.
The guy who came ‘this close’ to jobbing Marcus Ambrose at The Cutting in 2005. What could possibly go wrong here?
On the plus side, both very quick around the mountain and if you haven’t seen a perfect lap before, go and see Murphy’s ‘lap of the gods’.
8th – Jason Bright, Holden, Brad Jones Racing
Co-driver: Andrew Jones
Time: 2:08:2184
In a big result for the little guy, Jason Bright stormed into the shootout with a blistering lap well ahead of drivers in all the big factory teams.
The immensely likeable Bright is having a renaissance year in 2013 with a couple of wins and podium finishes on top of consistent top 10 results.
Expect him to be there all day on Sunday.
9th – Mark Winterbottom, Ford, Ford Performance Racing
Co-driver: Steven Richards
Time: 2:08:0612
For a man who has been at the top of V8 Supercars for over five years it is staggering to reflect that his best Bathurst finish has been fourth.
2013 could be the year it all turns around for ‘Frosty’ with a very fast car and excellent co driver in two time winner Steve Richards.
Indeed, based on their pace this weekend the only one with a chance of beating them is, of course…
10th – Jamie Whincup, Holden, Triple Eight Race Engineering
Co-driver: Paul Dumbrell
Time: 2:08:0054
Think Sebastian Vettel without the annoying finger, or Michael Schumacher without the occasion high speed ramming.
The Victorian has won the Championship 4 times, Bathurst 4 times and looks likely to win them both again in 2013. He and teammate Paul Dumbrell won last year and have looked all weekend like they will be in it up to their ears.
Jamie will be the last to set a lap time, and will begin his lap knowing exactly what he needs to do to start on pole. And frankly, you would have to be a blue blood to be betting against him!
Join me for live updates, nostalgia, trivia and trivial nostalgia from 5.00pm AEDT.
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