Nightingale is hoping to take it to the front runners and build upon his first national-tier drive, from when he contest this same round in the 2014 V8 Utes series.

The Bathurst driver got better and better with each race to record a top result of 14^th during that Mount Panorama round of the series two years ago.

With that utes experience under his belt Nightingale is pumped up for another home track appearance.

“Last time I ran in the utes it was all … a learning curve, this time it’s about getting results,” he said.

“A top five result would be something that’d I’d like to achieve and a podium would be perfect.

“The one thing that’s really exciting about this team is that they’re running first and third in the series. When we tested at Wakefield last Friday we were right up on the pace with them."

Nightingale said it’s a rewarding feeling to be back behind the wheel of a V8 Ute.

“It has been a long process. We contacted the Sieders Racing Team about three weeks ago. We had some discussions and they were able to lend a ute out for us,” he said.

“It’s every little boys’ dream to race at the Bathurst 1000, and to race over the Bathurst 1000 weekend is the next best thing.

“I have Colin Locke, Justin Bannon and my dad [Brian] because without those guys this wouldn’t have happened. They’ve all been working non-stop to find backers.”

One advantage for Nightingale is not only his inside-out knowledge of his home track but also his time in the driver’s seat for the 6 Hour. 

Nightingale didn’t get the result he was after in his Mitsubishi Evo IX experience, with engine troubles forcing the car out before the halfway mark, but he did get the chance to lead the race at one point.

He’s hopeful that the time behind the wheel in the March race can help him create more positive experiences on Mount Panorama. 

“Having done a bit of racing this year already on the track has certainly done me a big favour. I know there’s a big difference between an Evo and a ute but hopefully I can get a lot of clean air and time for practice,” he said.

“The hardest thing about racing the utes at Bathurst is getting those braking markers right and … avoiding tyre spin. They’re the two things to watch out for most.

“The ute’s a lot of fun to drive at Mount Panorama. This ute is very different though from the one I first drove here. This has been prepared at 110 per cent with no expense spared.”

This will mark the fourth racing appearance for Nightingale at Bathurst, with his first being in the Holden HQ series in 2013.

Nightingale thanked his two major sponsors, Beecham Concrete and Bathurst Pneamatics and Hydraulics, as well as other supporters Bathurst RSL, Bathurst Regional Council, Verto and Forrest Reefs Tavern.

The V8 Utes have the honour of being the first category onto the track for this year’s racing, with Thursday’s first practice session starting at 7.25am.