Supercars legend Jamie Whincup won't give up on racing for a fifth Bathurst 1000 win, remaining bent on ending his 12-year-long drought.
Pairing up with Triple Eight star Broc Feeney, 41-year-old Whincup wound back the clock on Thursday to open the weekend and set the fastest lap time of the co-drivers ahead of Sunday's race.
The seven-time Supercars champion last claimed the Peter Brock Trophy in 2013 and his most recent outing to Mount Panorama with Feeney ended in heartbreak.
Young talent Feeney was left in tears after experiencing gearbox issues on lap 137 when he and Whincup were placed second before finishing 23rd.
Bent on finding redemption after placing as runners-up to championship leader Will Brown and Scott Pye at last month's Sandown 500, Whincup is out to go full-throttle yet again.
"Obviously, 12 years is a long time. I've been trying pretty hard to cross the line," Whincup said.
"I'm going to keep trying, going keep trying to come back up there. I may get another, I may not. Who knows?
"All that matters for me is that we're in contention and contributing to the race so to do that, you need a fast car.
"Hopefully, we've got quick cars and can contribute in some way, shape or form, and the Bathurst gods are on our side this weekend."
Whincup won't be the only driver out to break through for another victory at Mount Panorama.
Seven-time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes, who won three with Whincup (2006, '07, '08), has teamed up with Super2 star Cooper Murray as a wildcard entrant under the Triple Eight banner.
He last claimed an endurance race victory at Mount Panorama in 2018 with Steven Richards.
Lowndes' 32nd consecutive Bathurst 1000 start began slowly, with the 50-year-old placing last in the first practice session.
Murray was able to shoot to the top of the table in the co-drivers slot later on day one, finishing second to Whincup.
The pair finished fifth at Sandown, in what was Murray's first attempt at the Melbourne endurance race.
"It's a great turnaround for us," Lowndes said.
"Cooper did a great job, like, there's no doubt about that. To turn the car around and have the confidence to go across the top of the mountain was really impressive.
"I've got a really good feeling about this weekend after having a good run of Sandown."
Drivers return to the track for two practice sessions before qualifying starts at 4.15pm (AEDT) on Friday.
