Their returning co-driver, Matt Bell, was behind the wheel of the Bentley Continental GT3 as the car dropped from first to fourth over the final two laps of the race.

It was still a remarkable achievement for the three drivers making their first start in the annual endurance event.

Now with that valuable first year of Mount Panorama experience under their belts, the British trio have an extra dose of confidence for Sunday’s edition.

Former 24 Hours of Le Mans class champion Smith said having better track knowledge for his second tilt at the title will make a difference.

“Last year, the result aside, we thoroughly enjoyed it. I think we came here last year with our eyes open. We knew it was going to be a learning year, with not being here before – Bentley or the drivers,” he said.

“To be fighting for the win within the last five minutes was probably better than what we were expecting. 

“We certainly come back here feeling more prepared. We know the circuit. We’ve been through it all now. We know that with 12 hours, though, anything can happen, so we just have to try to come back and do a similar job to last year, really.”

The Bentley Team M-Sport factory squad will once again bring two cars to Bathurst. This year’s other entry is to be driven by Andy Soucek, Maxime Soulet and David Russell.

Smith and Kane arrived yesterday morning in Bathurst, with the remaining four drivers testing the cars at Wakefield Park.

The 2015 edition of the 12 Hour was the first time Bell had joined forces with Smith and Kane, the duo being regular partners for the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Kane said maintaining the three-man partnership will serve the team well for what he believes is going to be a tougher edition of the race than last year.

“Last year was all a learning curve and it was the first time Matt had driven with me and Guy. We’ve come back as a unit, the same team and car, with more confidence,” he said. 

“We know it’s going to be a lot more competitive this year because there’s a lot more quick GT3 cars out there and the V8 [Supercars] drivers have been let back in.

“It’s going to be a bigger race, but I still believe we’ve got all the ingredients to do really well.”

Smith believes Mount Panorama is a great circuit for GT3 racing given its combination of track elements and expects the Bentley to thrive across the top of the circuit.

“The good thing about Bathurst is that you’ve got that mix of everything. You’ve got high-speed corners, you’ve got tight corners. The part of the circuit going up to the top of the mountain is like being on a street track because it’s so narrow and twisty,” he said.

“Generally I think the Bentley does well here. In the high-speed stuff over the top of the mountain I’d say that’s probably our strength. That’s where the car is particularly good.

“You’ll find if you look up and down the grid each car’s got its own strengths. There’s parts on the track where we maybe don’t do as well as other cars, but equally we’re better in other places and I think that’s what makes this circuit so close and good.”