Top 10 Bathurst 1000 drivers

HOLDEN RACING TEAM

Car: No.2 Holden Commodore VZ

Mark Skaife & Garth Tander

Age: 39, 29

Born: Gosford, NSW Perth, WA

Bathurst Starts: 19, 8

Best result: 1st (1991-92, 2001-02, 2005) 1st (2000)

Defending champion Skaife is paired with form driver Tander but that doesn't necessarily guarantee success.

HRT proved last year that winning wasn't about being the fastest but a tactical marathon to be the last man standing at the end of a long, tough day.

However, serious mechanical problems have plagued both HRT cars in 2006 and those gremlins - primarily to do with the gearbox - could ruin another tilt at the coveted title.

The Sandown 500 ended in tears, a steering problem ruining hopes of victory after leading the first half of the race. Tander had the car on pole position so we know they're quick.

If the mechanics can get the Commodore to last 1000km then the men behind the wheel can make it take the checkered flag.

TOLL HSV DEALER TEAM

Car: No.15 Holden Commodore VZ

Rick Kelly & Todd Kelly

Age: 23, 26

Born: Mildura, VIC Mildura, VIC

Bathurst Starts: 5, 8

Best result: 1st (2003, 2004) 1st (2005)

Aiming to become first family combination to win the coveted title.

Todd gave up his right to defend the title with Skaife to help younger brother Rick at HSVDT pursue a championship series win.

Both have won Bathurst titles as co-drivers - Rick with Greg Murphy and Todd with Skaife - but now have added pressure of being in the hot seat when it matters most.

HSVDT have been fastest all year but with Rick's eyes on the series prize they may lack the attacking instinct to chase a win here.

Showed promise when beaten for victory by a bumper at Sandown 500 and will be thereabouts again here.

TEAM BETTA ELECTRICAL

Car: No.888 Ford Falcon BA

Craig Lowndes & Jamie Whincup

Age: 32, 23

Born: Melbourne, VIC Melbourne, VIC

Bathurst Starts: 12, 4

Best result: 1st (1996) 2nd (2005)

Lowndes was the fastest man on the mountain last year but just wasn't meant to win - an airborne tyre landing on his windscreen smashing those dreams.

Young teammate Whincup came of age at Bathurst last year when he put his Holden into a race-winning position to eventually finish second.

Both have won rounds this season and they represent Ford's strongest hope of winning for the first time in eight years.

The Triple Eight Falcon has been very consistent mechanically in 2006 albeit not the quickest.

With two form drivers at the wheel they should be thereabouts for the final sprint home.

Wouldn't it be great too if championship leader Lowndes brought Ford the Bathurst win and series title in the same year.

JACK DANIEL'S RACING

Car: No.7 Holden Commodore VZ

Steven Richards & Paul Dumbrell

Age: 34 24

Born: Auckland, NZ Melbourne, VIC

Bathurst Starts: 13 7

Best result: 1st (1998, 1999) 5th (2002)

Dumbrell's inexperience cost this pairing a race finish here last year and almost ended the youngster's association at the Larry Perkins-owned team.

But Perkins, himself a six-time winner at Bathurst, knows talent when he sees it and has given Dumbrell a second chance with the always consistent Steven Richards.

Richards, son of seven-time winner Jim Richards, has won Bathurst twice (1998-99) and rarely turns in a poor performance.

Dumbrell meanwhile has been much improved in 2006 to be running 11th in the championship - just two places behind his Commmodore VZ

Greg Murphy & Cameron McConville

Age: 34, 32

Born: Hastings, NZ Melbourne, VIC

Bathurst Starts: 13, 13

Best result: 1st (1996, 1999, 2003-04) 2nd (1999)

Rate a mention on reputation alone because their 2006 form is abysmal.

McConville (21st) and Murphy (23rd) are ranked poorly in the series pointscore - high-speed crashes and mechanical failures plaguing their season.

Sandown was the perfect example, falling from fourth to finish 22 laps down after power steering problems.

But Murphy has a passion for Bathurst, winning it four times, and McConville is without doubt a talented driver who has yet to find a home at a strong team.

If their Commodore lasts the distance, and that is a very big if, then they could win it. But smart money says it'll be an early day.

FIRSTROCK HOME LOANS

Car: No.17 Ford Falcon BA

Steven Johnson & Will Davison

Age: 32, 24

Born: Brisbane, QLD Melbourne, VIC

Bathurst Starts: 12, 2

Best result: 4th (1997, 1999, 2000) 19th (2005)

The genuine smokeys of the field. A very impressive fourth place at the Sandown 500 last month, hot on the heels of the podium finishers, puts the Ford drivers in the frame for mountain glory.

Steven Johnson, son of V8 great Dick Johnson, and Will Davison have enjoyed relative success in 2006 - Johnson eighth in the series with consistency throughout the year.

Davison doesn't have much experience at Bathurst, but is surrounded by an experienced team.

Some concern over the Falcon's speed, but winning Bathurst isn't always about the fastest car.

If they keep their noses clean, and stay out of trouble with the race stewards, they could be amongst the top five.

HOLDEN RACING TEAM

Car No.22 Holden Commodore VZ

Jim Richards & Ryan Briscoe

Age: 59, 24

Born: New Zealand Sydney, NSW

Bathurst Starts: 34 0

Best Result: 1st (1978-80, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2002) / Yet to race Master and apprentice.

Seven-times Bathurst winner Richards, second only to legend Peter Brock (nine), and V8 rookie Briscoe.

Until Sandown last month, Briscoe had never sat in a V8 Supercar.