Kelly: Title chances fading

Holden's Rick Kelly admits his quest for the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship is a 'long shot'.

But the 25-year-old, who lies fourth behind Garth Tander on the V8 standings with five rounds remaining, says winning the prestigious Bathurst 1000 this weekend will go a long way towards easing the disappointment of missing out on championship glory.

Kelly previously tasted success at Bathurst in 2003 and 2004 alongside Greg Murphy under the K-Mart Racing banner and is confident of more of the same this time around.

"The team I am with knows all about Bathurst success," Kelly said.

"We are definitely aware of what it takes to win and I know we can translate that confidence onto the track."

While he has already conceded that regaining the V8 Championship he won in 2006 is a fading dream, Kelly says he'll be doing everything in his power to add another Bathurst trophy to his cabinet.

"It is going to be a long shot for us to win the championship now. The only thing we are focused on right now is qualifying that car up the front and winning that race," he said.

"The main thing we have on our side is our rivals at Bathurst are all focused on the championship as well. That is something right now that is not on my mind and winning that race at Bathurst is my primary concern."

"Nothing is going to get in the way of that."

Kelly said he and team-mate Paul Radisich's victory in race one at Phillip Island last round has given them a huge boost of confidence ahead of Bathurst.

"As far as outright wins goes it has been tough for us but getting that win at Phillip Island was a good boost for the team before heading into the most important race of the year," Kelly said.

"Our motivation is at a high at the moment and it has come at the right time."

Meanwhile, Toll Holden Racing Team stars Garth Tander and Mark Skaife are confident their victory at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island has them primed for a tilt at the Bathurst crown.

Skaife was the last man to win in a Holden at the famous track, when he and Todd Kelly saluted in a HRT Commodore in 2005.

But the last time Tander and Skaife paired up at Bathurst in 2006, their race ended in heartbreak on the first lap.

However, Tander said that should not be considered a form guide, adding that their first season as full-time team-mates had been an obvious success.

"I think it's going a lot better than people expected," Tander said. "We work well together. We both have the same goals."

"We're both looking forward to this race because when we shared the car together in 2006, we didn't get the result we hoped for, so we're very keen to win this one."

Skaife, who is lining up for his 22nd Bathurst start, said he still felt like 'a young bloke' when it came to racing at Bathurst.

"I still feel it's a great gauge for how motivated I am and I still feel the same way as when I was a young bloke going there in my early 20s," he said. "I'm eager to get there, and eager to get on and do a really good job. I feel like I'll be as good at Bathurst as I've ever been."

"I was on the front row of the grid last year, our speed at Bathurst has always been good, it's a place I love, it's a matter of stepping up to the grand final."