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Bathurst rates 10 out of 10

Bathurst is a place that drivers have a love-hate relationship with.

But my co-driver Warren Luff and I aren't getting too carried away with it. You need a good car, good drivers and a good team, and we have all that, but you also need a little bit of luck at Bathurst because it's such a long race and anything can go wrong.

This time next week we'll be at the mountain and the butterflies will be in the stomach and the adrenalin will be starting to pump. But I think they will be even greater this year because it's the 50th anniversary and so important to our sport. Bathurst is a place that drivers have a love-hate relationship with. One minute it can be rewarding and the next crushing.

Here are 10 things I love and hate about the place: 

The thing I love most about the Bathurst race: The challenge, the layout of the track, the distance, the combination of having two drivers and the changeable weather all make this the ultimate test of man and machine. 

The thing I hate about Bathurst: That it's only once a year.

My favourite moment before I raced there: A couple of times as a teenager I remember watching Peter Brock and Glenn Seton driving around a wet circuit on slick tyres. Their car control was amazing. 

My favourite moment at Bathurst: The barbecue we do early in the week, mingling with the fans, soaking up their enthusiasm while we cook sausages for them.

Best part of the track: Going across the top of the mountain. It's the most technical and challenging part to get right. When you do it's very satisfying. I also love the cheers of the fans there. You can hear them because it's a natural amphitheatre. 

Worst part of track: I don't have one. I love the whole circuit. But it is a pain getting in and out of the place. That's why we camp there and stay on track all weekend.

Best race ever: My 2006 win. It was the first year of Brock's passing and it was the most emotional victory. 

Worst race ever: Not being able to get a victory with Glenn, finishing second a couple of times. He's the best driver never to have won there, which is just heartbreaking.

My favourite Bathurst icon: Brock, of course. He helped me enormously when I first drove there in '94. He truly was king of the mountain. 

Favourite guest on the mountain: Probably Casey Stoner. He is bound to be there again as it doesn't clash with a MotoGP. We can't seem to keep him away from the garage.