News: Supercheap Auto Racing Ready For Australia's Great Race

Supercheap Auto Racing is ready to tackle Mount Panorama head on in Australia's Great Race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on 12 October.

Russell “the Enforcer” Ingall and team-mate Paul Morris will lead the team's assault in the #39 Commodore on this year's V8 Supercar classic, joined in the second team car by renown internationals, two-time British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal and colourful American road racing specialist Boris Said, a winner of the Daytona, Sebring and Nurburgring enduro classics.

The Supercheap Auto team has gone from strength to strength in 2008, building towards a goal with its focus firmly set upon success at the mountain.

“It's hard not to get drawn into the aura of Bathurst - it's the race everyone wants to win. It's been our focus all year and we'll be ready,” said Ingall, already a two-time Bathurst winner.

“Our speed's been great, our Supercheap Auto Commodores strong and we've got a great team. We know what it takes to win and we're excited by our chances.”

Morris echoed his team-mate's sentiments, buoyed by Ingall's podium in Queensland in July and a strong showing by the pair at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island, the warm-up to the year's biggest race.

“There are more reasons why we can win the race than why we can't,” Morris said. “We're amongst the strongest teams and I don't believe we've got a weak link anywhere - we're as confident as can be.”

Neal has raced at Bathurst three times, and feels they have gathered the knowledge needed to achieve a strong result at the mountain - the pair finishing a highly creditable 19th at Phillip Island.

“The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is one of the world's great races and we can't wait,” said Neal. “Phillip Island was great preparation and we learnt an awful lot - we're confident of a strong result for the Supercheap Auto Racing team,” Neal said.

For Said, it will be his Bathurst debut, but the American is fully aware of the history and traditions of Australia's greatest circuit; “Mount Panorama is motor racing's Everest, it's admired all over the world. Anyone interested in racing knows about the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and, for me, it's the last on my 'bucket list' of races. Paul [Morris] only had to ask once for me to come here and race and it's an honour to be doing it for such a great team in Supercheap Auto Racing.”

Practice for the race kicks off on Thursday, 9 October with qualifying following Friday and Saturday.

Australia's great race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 starts at 10.30am Sunday, 12 October with full coverage on Channel 7 - check your local guides for full broadcast times.