Looking to create history and surpass Brock and Jim Richards, Lowndes and Whincup can write their names boldly in Bathurst folklore if they are again the first to greet the chequered flag. 4 consecutive wins around the mountain would rightly place their names up in lights. With a team as good as any around them, and a car as fast as any, I’m expecting the TeamVodafone pair to create history.

But if they are to be beaten, there are two cars that leap out as capable to do it. Clearly Tander and Davison are the form pair. Having won 4 of the last 5 races, pace is no issue. With a little luck, they claimed the Phillip Island win, but they had put themselves in a position to win all day. The other contenders are Winterbottom and Richards. FPR have been building momentum the last couple of rounds. With regret and disappoint at the last two Bathurst races, FPR have a determination to rectify these past mistakes. FPR also aren’t as concerned by the championship as cars 888 and 2 are.

As for the next group of challengers, there are several. Johnson and Courtney will again be fast in their Jim Beam racer. Along with the Kelly brothers, they are also capable of causing an upset. But both teams may be lacking the outright speed the aforementioned 3 cars. Caruso and Holdsworth should be capable of running in this group, as will Ingall and Owen Kelly. Owen Kelly is a fast and more than capable steerer, he shouldn’t be thought of as a weak link driving with Ingall.

Another pair that has flown under the radar is SBR’s young combination of Alex Davison and Shane Van Gisbergen. The Stones have unlocked some pace in their cars since Queensland Raceway’s round. They were fast at Phillip Island until they suffered a cut wheel, and still fought back for a solid finish. For those who like a punt, some healthy odds have been offered on this pair for a podium finish. Stone Brothers have finished on the podium at Bathurst the last 3 years.

There are 8 fast combinations that should be running at the front. Keep looking at the V8DD for all the times, news and updates across the weekend.

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