It was bucketing rain and Whincup was behind the wheel of a Van Diemen as a member of the Formula Ford series which was acting as a support for the Bathurst 1000.

Since then Whincup has gone on to win the Bathurst 1000 on four occasions and he does a circuit of Mount Panorama significantly quicker in a Holden Commodore ZB. It's a track he has a great respect and a great passion for.

So it is only fitting that in Whincup's last season as a full-time driver he will have the chance to contest two Supercars rounds at the famous 6.213 kilometre circuit, beginning with the season-opening Bathurst 500.

"We've been saying for a long time we believe there's a need for two races here. It's one of the best circuits in the world, so we can certainly afford to do a sprint race here and the 1000," the Triple Eight star said.

"I think it's quite fitting to start the year off at one of the best tracks in the country."

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Ever the professional, Whincup is not thinking about the changes which lie ahead - next year he'll be Triple Eight's team principal and managing director.

Instead he's focussed on both winning the pair of 250 kilometre races which make up the Bathurst 1000 and going on to be crowned the drivers' champion for the eighth time.

"That's my plan [winning], that's obviously everybody's plan. It's going to be a special year one way or another," he said.

"I'm not thinking about it, I'm not talking about the R [retirement] word, it's not factored in at all, just trying to do the best I can.

"It's certainly a different mentality doing two 250s rather than a single 1000 kay dual driver event. So I'm excited as anyone to see where it all pans out."

The first race of the Bathurst 500 round will start at 3pm Saturday with the second to follow the same time on Sunday.