KEY RACE INFORMATION
Venue: Mount Panorama, Bathurst, New South Wales
Race Length: 161 laps (1000.3 kilometres)
Lap Record: Craig Lowndes 2:06.801 (2010)
Race Record: Jamie Whincup 2:08.4651 (2007)
Previous Winners: 2013 – Mark Winterbottom/Steven Richards, 2012 – Jamie Whincup/Paul Dumbrell
Campers have already flocked to the Mount Panorama circuit to get ready for the iconic race. Photo: Getty
WHAT TIME DOES THE RACE START?
The Bathurst 1000 starts at 10.30am on Sunday, and is due to finish about 6pm.
On Saturday, the all-important Top 10 Shootout qualifying session starts at 5.10pm.
There are also practice sessions spread across Thursday and Friday and Saturday.
WHERE TO FOLLOW
Friday practice sessions will be shown live on Seven from 1pm and 3pm, while television coverage on Saturday runs from midday to 5pm.
Seven's raceday coverage starts at 7am on Sunday.
For in-depth live coverage on the internet, follow Sportal's live blog from 9.30am - you'll get a comprehensive guide as the race unfolds, as well as behind the scenes photos, social media and news.
WHO IS GOING TO WIN?
Mark Winterbottom and Steve Richards receive the 2013 winners plaque during an autograph session on Thursday. Photo: Getty
The great thing about this race is there really are so many combinations capable of winning it – and banking the all-important 300 Championship points.
It's no surprise the Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell pairing is favourite with the bookies.
But up to 12 combinations are a realistic chance of taking out the Peter Brock Trophy.
Ford's Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards are the defending champions for the race, but they won’t be competing together this year.
Richards is now driving with Craig Lowndes after defecting to Red Bull Racing at the start of this season.
Winterbotttom is now driving with Steve Owen and will be looking to win his second Bathurst 1000 in a row.
LAP RECORD UNDER THREAT
The famous circuit has been resurfaced, and that has prompted some drivers to predict they will go more than two seconds faster than last year.
Last year, Jamie Whincup claimed pole position with a lap time of 2:07.
The lap record for the race belongs to Craig Lowndes who clocked 2:06.801 in 2010.
THE 'OTHER' MANUFACTURERS
Kiwi Scott McLaughlin is being touted a major contender for the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday. Photo: Getty
Three manufacturers are now in contention to break that record, with Volvo having joined Nissan and Mercedes in the fight against Holden and Ford.
Out of those three, Volvo looks most likely to cause a boilover.
Young kiwi Scott McLaughlin has shown this year that he is one of the quickest drivers in the field - and his Volvo has challenged for race wins at a number of different circuits. McLaughlin teams with Frenchman Alex Premat who was a full-time driver in the series for the last few years.
But whether that pair has the reliability to stave off the main contenders over 161 laps remains to be seen.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Jamie Whincup 2325
2. Craig Lowndes 2052
3. Mark Winterbottom 2046
4. Shane Van Gisbergen 1982
5. James Courtney 1964
ENDURANCE CUP STANDINGS
1. Jamie Whincup/Paul Dumbrell 300
2. James Courtney/Greg Murphy 276
3. Garth Tander/Warren Luff 258
4. Craig Lowndes/Steven Richards 240
5. Scott Pye/Ash Walsh 222
SUPPORT CLASSES
If you're heading to the track, you can also check out the Porsche Carrera Cup, V8 Utes, and Touring Car Masters across all three days.
The Dunlop Series runs on Friday and Saturday.