The 63rd edition of one of Australian motorsport’s biggest races has finally arrived, with the great race to provide the perfect stage for the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship’s season finale.
 
Ahead of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, motorsport.org.au previews the big event.
 
Rule changes
There is no denying the Safety Car can have an impact on any race, let alone in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. 
 
A significant change to the Safety Car procedure has been approved ahead of this weekend’s Bathurst encounter. Lapped cars will now be given the green light to unlap themselves to ensure the field isn’t mixed with leaders and backmarkers upon a restart.
 
Separately, a new rule requiring teams to make compulsory front brake rotor change between lap 55 and lap 120 has also been implemented.


 
New look drivers
This weekend will see some new pairings and fresh faces racing among the 25 entries.
 
But it’s not all about those steering their Supercars - there has also been a number of changes to liveries and helmets ahead of the great race, including champion-elect Scott McLaughlin headlining that with a change to his race helmet.
 
The three-time champion has elected to wear a special helmet as a tribute to DJR Team Penske founder, Dick Johnson, with his helmet to be coloured blue, with DJR’s Championship and Bathurst wins also featured.
 
On the livery front, there are slight tweaks throughout the field, with the Brad Jones Racing #14 Holden Commodore entry of Todd Hazelwood and Jordan Boys now sporting a bright yellow livery/
 
Erebus Motorsport’s two entries will also look different this year with both cars to have an Aussie-inspired livery as a way to promote the Are You Supporting Australia campaign.
 
Kelly Racing have also introduced a new fan-inspired livery for Rick Kelly and Dale Wood's #15 Castrol Mustang with images of fans plasted over the car. 

Red Bull Holden Racing Team will also unveil a new look machine this week, paying tribute to Holden’s history at Mount Panorama.
 
 
Super return for development series
It’s been a long time coming but the combined Dunlop Super2 and Super3 Series returns this weekend.
 
Around 19 cars will make up the field, which will have a race on Friday and Saturday, with a number of those drivers on ‘double duties’, with co-driver roles in Sunday’s main event.
 
Two of those drivers are Thomas Randle and Will Brown and both are also vying for the Super2 title itself with the former leading the latter by just 38 points.
 
Click here to see the full Super2/Super3 entry list.
  
Other categories to act as support cards across the day include Aussie Tin Tops, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series and a Combined Historics field.      



Championship Top 10
Scott McLaughlin – 2354 points
Jamie Whincup - 2049
Cameron Waters – 1849
Shane van Gisbergen - 1795
Chaz Mostert - 1700
Nick Percat – 1641
Fabian Coulthard - 1560
Anton de Pasquale - 1469
Mark Winterbottom - 1386
Scott Pye  – 1382
 
The Grid
#2 Holden Commodore ZB - Bryce Fullwood + Kurt Kostecki
#3 Holden Commodore ZB - Macauley Jones + Tim Blanchard
#4 Holden Commodore ZB - Jack Smith + Jack Perkins
#5 Ford Mustang - Lee Holdsworth + Michael Caruso
#6 Ford Mustang - Cameron Waters + Will Davison
#7 Ford Mustang - Andre Heimgartner + Dylan O'Keeffe
#8 Holden Commodore ZB - Nick Percat + Jack Perkins
#9 Holden Commodore ZB - David Reynolds + Will Brown
#12 Ford Mustang - Fabian Coulthard + Tony D’Alberto
#14 Holden Commodore ZB - Todd Hazelwood + Jordan Boys
#15 Ford Mustang - Rick Kelly + Dale Wood
#17 Ford Mustang - Scott McLaughlin + Tim Slade
#18 Holden Commodore ZB - Mark Winterbottom + James Golding
#19 Holden Commodore ZB – Alex Davison + Jonathon Webb
#20 Holden Commodore ZB - Scott Pye + Dean Fiore
#22 Holden Commodore ZB - Chris Pither + Steve Owen
#25 Holden Commodore ZB - Chaz Mostert + Warren Luff
#34 Holden Commodore ZB – Jake Kostecki + Zane Goddard
#35 Holden Commodore ZB - Garry Jacobson + David Russell
#40 Holden Commodore ZB - Tyler Everingham + Jayden Ojeda 
#44 Ford Mustang – James Courtney + Broc Feeney
#55 Ford Mustang - Jack Le Brocq + James Moffat
#88 Holden Commodore ZB - Jamie Whincup + Craig Lowndes
#97 Holden Commodore ZB - Shane van Gisbergen + Garth Tander
#99 Holden Commodore ZB - Anton De Pasquale + Brodie Kostecki

Support Categories:
Dunlop Super2/Super3 Series - two races
Aussie Tin Tops - three races
Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series - four races
Historic Touring Cars - three races
 
Supercars Schedule
Thursday 15 October
9:30-10:30am - Practice 1
12:45-1:45pm - Practice 2
4:00-5:00pm - Practice 3 

Friday 16 October
9:45-10:45am - Practice 4 (co-drivers only)
12:10-1:10pm - Practice 5
4:05-4:45pm - ARMOR ALL Qualifying

Saturday 17 October
9:10-10:10am - Practice 6 (co-drivers only)
11:35-12:35pm - Practice 7 
5:05-5:50pm – ARMOR ALL Top Ten Shootout
 
Sunday 18 October
8:40-9:00am - Warm up
11:30-17:45pm - Race 31
 
(All times are marked as Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Where to watch
All four days of Bathurst 1000 will be live on FOX Sports 506 and live streamed on Kayo.

Selections of Friday and Saturday will be broadcast on Network 10 and 10Play as will the entire race on Sunday.