MOUNT Panorama - it has been the scene for many of Craig Lowndes' Supercars highlights, it is a circuit he has respect and passion for and now it will lure him into a simulator seat.
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The seven-times Bathurst 1000 winner has been revealed as one of the wildcard entries for the final round of the Supercars All Stars Eseries on Wednesday night, Lowndes helping bump up the grid to 32 cars.
The finale will feature a pair of 30-minute races - the first at Oran Park and the other at Mount Panorama. It is the second time Bathurst has featured in the series, previously hosting three races in the third round.
Lowndes' virtual #888 Red Bull Racing Holden Commodore will carry the same retro livery he used when placing fourth in last year's Great Race alongside Jamie Whincup.
"It's the best track in the world for us," Lowndes told Supercars.com.
"I watched when Supercars were on at Bathurst [in round three of the Eseries] and that duel between Brodie Kostecki, Shane [van Gisbergen] and Scotty [McLaughlin] at the end, that's what Bathurst showcases: great racing."
Lowndes' previous races as a wildcard in the virtual series at Circuit of The Americas saw him finish well off the pace - 24th his best finish.
The 45-year-old also contested the celebrity Eseries race at Mount Panorama on May 18 and while he qualified seventh fastest with a 2:05.672, Lowndes was unable to snag a podium finish.
Still, those experiences should help Lowndes and he is excited for Wednesday's challenge
"I'm keen to have another run. Going to both tracks that I have really fond memories of will be great," he said.
Another of the wildcard drivers is Penrite Racing's Will Brown, the man who was Anton de Pasquale's co-driver for last year's Bathurst 1000. He is keen to feature in the #999 Commodore which will carry Pedders livery.
"Obviously I'm stoked to be having a crack at the mountain, but I'm just as excited to go to Oran Park," Brown said.
"I did race virtually at Bathurst in the TCR series last week, so I've had a lot of practice now. I have spent time every day to get in as much practice as I can with the team at Erebus."
Having impressed at Bathurst in round three Kostecki returns for another wildcard appearance, while former Bathurst 1000 winner Jono Webb, plus Super2 talents Broc Feeney and Zak Best also join the grid.
The races broadcast live from 7pm on Supercars' facebook page.
