The country’s sights will be set Mount Panorama this week for the 2018 Bathurst 1000; the 58th edition of Australia’s most highly-coveted and sought-after prize in motorsport.
1000km of fast corners, long straights, climbs, descents and gruelling in-car conditions await twenty-six cars and fifty-two drivers but with the Peter Brock Trophy and vital championship points at stake, we are set for a thrilling contest.
There’s plenty of action set to take place through several categories this week, but the main event will take place on Sunday and it is the 888 Racing entry of Jamie Whincup & Paul Dumbrell who remain $3 favourites to win the 2018 Bathurst 1000, from Shane van Gisbergen & Earl Bamber ($3.50) and Craig Lowndes & Steven Richards ($7).
Below you can find our full preview including 2018 Bathurst 1000 tips, the market leaders and best roughies.
2018 Bathurst 1000 Betting Favourites
Jamie Whincup & Paul Dumbrell ($3)
Triple Eight absolutely dominated the Sandown 500 and they are set for another big weekend at the Bathurst 1000, spearheaded by the partnership and proven formula of Whincup and Dumbrell.
Having taken out the race together in 2012, Whincup and Dumbrell have found themselves in contention almost every year since and have been denied on strategy and penalties alone, on several occasions.
Whincup has been glowing in his praise for many of the team’s opponents this week, but he remains the second-winningest driver in the field at Bathurst and is primed for a fifth title on Sunday afternoon.
Shane van Gisbergen & Earl Bamber ($3.50)
Undoubtedly the biggest threat to the race favourites are the team of Shane van Gisbergen and countryman Earl Bamber.
Van Gisbergen has not tasted success at Mount Panorama, but this undoubtedly looms as the best opportunity that the current championship leader has been faced with to date.
This is will Bamber’s first attempt at the Bathurst 1000, but he is a proven endurance champion having won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice previously, as well as having competed in the 12-hour event here on the mountain.
Craig Lowndes & Steven Richards ($7)
The partnership of Lowndes and Richards has enjoyed plenty of success throughout the last five years, but the 2018 Bathurst 1000 is set to be the final time that the two veterans will partner for an enduro.
The 2015 Bathurst Champions dealt with plenty of issues here in both 2016 and 2017, and they will be eager to fight their way onto the podium in their final race together.
This is easily the most experienced pairing in the 2018 Bathurst 1000 field and that could count for plenty in the final throws of the race. $7 does look over the odds for the third 888 team.
Best 2018 Bathurst 1000 Roughies
David Reynolds & Luke Youlden ($11)
Defending champions David Reynolds and Luke Youlden clearly have the know-how and experience to win Bathurst and they are worth consideration again at $11.
A team has not successfully defended their crown on the mountain for more than a decade, but this pair put together a terrific performance in the wet and when unwanted in betting in 2017, and they have only continued to improve in the year and rounds since.
Chaz Mostert & James Moffat ($17)
Tickford Racing won both the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Bathurst 1000 and the experienced team of Chaz Mostert and James Moffat could prove the value in the 2018 field.
It has been a difficult year for the team, but appropriate luck throughout the day could see a combination like Mostert and Moffat right in the finish on Sunday afternoon.