Last year Douglas joined James Moffat on the second tier of the podium at Mount Panorama after they and their Nissan Altima survived one of the most bizarre editions of the Bathurst 1000 ever witnessed.

While the race being red flagged for track repairs and Chaz Mostert’s effort to come from the rear of the grid to claim the chequered flag stole the headlines, the Nissan duo also had a remarkable day.

Douglas twice hit the wall at Griffins Bend – the area where the track surface was degraded – and their Nissan made 11 pit stops.

Yet even after running 20th at one stage and sitting in seventh with 10 laps to go, the duo finished as runners-up.

It was Douglas’ maiden V8 Supercars podium and the first time Moffat had placed in the top three at Mount Panorama.

“Everybody goes there to get a result and to get on the podium is a dream come true and especially to do it with Moff, a good mate of mine,” Douglas said.

“When you go to the track it’s just like going there with a mate, it’s like playing footy with your mates.

“That was my first V8 podium, and to achieve that at the biggest race of the year was something that I will never forget.

“Also Moff qualifying for the top 10 shootout, that was a massive step for him, and hopefully we can go one step better this year.”

While Moffat has not enjoyed the best of times in the championship since joining Nissan Motorsport in 2013, he has delivered the team two of their highlights.

He picked up Nissan’s maiden win since returning to the championship when first across the line at Winton in 2013, while his podium at Bathurst with Douglas is the garage’s best Great Race result over the same period.

Though they could only manage 18th at the Sandown 500 last month, Douglas did make up five spots in his first stint despite struggling with car speed and balance.

It should also be remembered the pair did not survive to see the chequered flag during the opening round of last year’s Enduro Cup but then managed a strong run at Mount Panorama.

It means even though they are rated as a $67 outsiders by some betting agencies to win this year’s Bathurst 1000, Douglas and Moffat believe they can be contenders.

“I think me and Moff can put in a good show this year,” Douglas said.

“We are looking back to last year at Bathurst and hopefully we can replicate that. We had a good car there last year, so hopefully we can go there and turn it around.”

And if Douglas – who is partnering Moffat for the third time this year – does get another Bathurst podium, he will have to clear space on his television cabinet.

“I’ve got the [2014] trophy sitting under my TV on the cabinet,” he said.

“Sometimes you forget about it and you look down and see the trophy and go ‘Oh yeah, that’s right, I finished second’.”