Mostert forecasts 'super tough' Bathurst finale

Chaz Mostert is expecting the conditions to be “super tough” at next weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

Mostert will arrive at Mount Panorama fourth in the standings, but can mathematically finish third should he outscore Will Davison by 40 points.

Walkinshaw Andretti United found form over four weeks in Sydney, with Mostert racing from 26th to third in Race 25 before coming agonisingly short of a podium at the BP Ultimate Sydney SuperSprint.

Despite missing out on the Top Ten Shootout for Race 29 on Saturday, Mostert climbed from 12th to fifth during the 62-lap epic.

He was set to launch from 10th for the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight finale before rain intervened, seeing Shane van Gisbergen awarded the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship title.

Mostert will drive alongside Lee Holdsworth in December's Great Race, with Warren Luff retained to compete with Bryce Fullwood.

The start time for the Bathurst 1000 was confirmed last month, with the race starting at 12:15pm local time on Sunday December 5.

It marks the latest start time in the Great Race’s 59-year history and the first ever December running of the iconic event.

With Bathurst’s average December temperatures reaching 27 degrees, Mostert is anticipating challenging conditions at Mount Panorama.

“I can't wait to get there,” Mostert told Supercars.com.

“It's obviously a fantastic race every year, but it’s super hard this year, as it's going to be brutal being at the time it is.

“If it's any judgment of how hot it is here [Sydney] today, it's going be a really tough December race at the Mountain.”

WAU Bathurst co-driver Holdsworth last raced a Supercar at Mount Panorama in 2020, when he scored a surprise provisional pole.

He drove the #25 Mobil 1 Appliances Online Commodore at Sydney Motorsport Park at the official Bathurst test last Tuesday.

“We have seen the last couple of years, that it's been an absolute sprint race,” Mostert continued.

“You have to have both drivers right on the pace, so we are obviously very lucky to get Lee.

“The good thing about Lee is we have worked together before in different teams and we like the same strengths in the car so we will make a car to suit both of us and hopefully that gets the result.

“Obviously, there is a little bit of a height difference between us, but we're getting around that stuff in the car.

“The best thing was seeing Lee’s pace straight out of the gate.

“He was right on the money, so we actually kicked him back out of the car and focused on making the car quicker, so it's pretty easy when you're a fast guy.”

The week-long Repco Bathurst 1000 will also feature the Dunlop Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series, Touring Car Racing, Touring Car Masters, S5000, GTWCA, SuperUtes and TransAm.

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship and Dunlop Series seasons will conclude at the Repco Bathurst 1000.

Foxtel’s coverage will start on Wednesday 1st December at 8:25 am AEDT on channel 503 and Kayo.

The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.