HE was thrust into the limelight when he won the Bathurst 1000 as a rookie and now, nine years later, Nick Percat feels he has his best chance yet of replicating that result.
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Since that magic moment alongside Garth Tander in 2011, Percat has joined the Supercars grid as a full-time driver and twice placed third in the Great Race.
This year marks Percat's 10th start in the famous enduro and he's in good form as he's on track for his best result in the championship. He currently sits sixth.
He also has a solid Brad Jones Racing team behind him and a talented co-driver in Thomas Randle.
It's a mix which has him confident.
"Obviously car speed is the most important thing and we've had heaps of outright speed this year, which is good. The changes we've made are good and strategy-wise BJR do a very good job of making sure the strategy is correct," Percat, who has two race wins this season, said.
"It will be very interesting to see how the race unfolds because there has been no real strategy with fuel all year, we haven't had fuel at the pit stops, so we're back to that traditional kind of racing for Supercars. Hopefully the guys at BJR haven't forgotten how to do that and we have a good day.
"Thomas, I'm pumped to have him in the car.
"Having a guy who is leading the Super2 championship, he's held pole positions and had race wins .. I think that's a good thing to have in your corner. I think that's definitely an advantage and I think we are a good shot."
A strong run at Bathurst would help Percat tick another box when it comes to the overall championship.
"At the start of the year we set our goal to be in the top six of the championship and get a few podiums and we've done better than that, we've had a pole position and two wins and a seconds and are sixth in the championship," he said.
"To be honest, and everyone has their little story, but we missed a few races there with having an engine blow up and getting taken out by a few guys. So we've actually had the potential to be in the top four.
"Hopefully we have a solid Bathurst and can come away with a good result and maintain that top six in the championship. Anywhere in that top six and I'll be really happy."
