Ford Performance Racing's Mark Winterbottom will have all the weapons he needs to score success at this weekend's L&H 500 at Phillip Island.
He has a new Orrcon Steel-backed chassis and two-time Bathurst winner and long time team-mate Steven Richards alongside. However, after struggling this season on the soft Dunlop tyres, the biggest factor working in Frosty's favour is that Phillip Island and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 10000 will be back on the harder race rubber.
“The hard tyre we had four pole positions in a row,” said Winterbottom.
“Led Townsville on the hard tyre, led Darwin on the hard tyre, so we go into Phillip Island, we got into Bathurst very confident that the two of us together have half a chance.”
Richards is under no illusion that they have a great combination, but is also fully aware that race pace is the key.
“We all know what these endurance races are like,” said Richards.
“If you don't have a fast car with 25 laps to go or at the last safety car, it doesn't make a difference how good your combination is.”
Crews roll into Phillip Island tomorrow ahead of Friday practice.
Check out the Phillip Island preview which also includes Garth Tander and Nick Percat.