Experts cast 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000 predictions

Who's your tip to win? Who's the biggest dark horse? And who will be the standout rookie?

On the eve of the 2024 edition of the Repco Bathurst 1000, Supercars.com has tapped a range of experts to get their takes on the upcoming Great Race.

Who's your tip for the win?

Mark Skaife:  I'm tipping Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth. I know that Lee made an unfortunate mistake at Sandown, but I think the pace they showed last time that they drove together there, the form that that team is developing through the course of the season, and that Chaz has got a bit of unfinished business for this year and coming back into the championship, makes them the car to beat.

Jess Yates, Fox Sports:  Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup. Jamie brings so much experience and, knowing Broc the way I do, the heartbreak of last year, he's been working every single day since then to make sure they're in the perfect position to execute this year. We saw they had really fast cars at Sandown. I think this is going to be their year.

Mark Beretta, Seven: It's become so hard, there are so many good combos. Matty Payne's quick, Garth Tander's got the experience, they're a very hard combo to beat. I'm gonna go for GT to win number six, and Matty Payne to get the win.

Matt White, SEN:  It's pretty tough, isn't it? I was torn between the two Triple Eight cars and Chaz and Lee. But, I'm gonna throw Cam Waters and James Moffat in. Moff is my regular co-commentator, he's a jet. I think that car's been an absolute rocket. And Cam knows what he's doing up there, and has got all the experience. So if they can get everything to go their way throughout the weekend, then they can be there at the end.

Riana Crehan: Broc and Jamie. Clearly the T8 cars are very strong, and Broc is very motivated after the heartbreak of last year. It goes without saying, Jamie is the GOAT, and while it sounds rude to say he's due for a win there, his recent record there is hit and miss. They'll be difficult to beat.

Chad Neylon: Car 6 to win. I was tipping them so hard for Sandown, but they didn't quite bring the speed then, so they have a great chance to redeem themselves at a track both Cam Waters and James Moffat enjoy.

James Pavey, Supercars.com: Sandown winners Will Brown and Scott Pye appear logical favourites. But looking elsewhere, Cam Waters and James Moffat are well and truly overdue, and won't be happy with how Sandown went. They got onto the podium in '21 and '22, and were in with a shot last year before Moffat threw it away. Tickford has all the ingredients to get the job done this year, and Waters is a missile around the Mountain. If the #6 is there at the end, expect fireworks.

Zac Dowdell, Supercars.com: Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup have unfinished business after last year's late gear shift drama. At 222 points behind teammate Will Brown, Feeney is getting to the stage where it's almost win or bust to stay alive in the championship. Believe it or not Whincup hasn't won at Bathurst since 2012, and will undoubtedly want that to change.

Who's the dark horse?

Skaife: James Golding and Dave Russell. I think that was a really good result for them to get on the podium at Sandown, and they're just, as a team, getting better and better and better. Dave was one of the star co-drivers last year and I've always been a fan of James Golding and the way he goes about it.

Yates: I thought James Golding and David Russell did a brilliant job at Sandown. That team's been building all year. We obviously saw James with the pole position for the first time earlier at Darwin, and then to take his first podium at Sandown, I think puts them in a really good position in terms of confidence. I think reliability is going to be the thing to watch for them.

Beretta: It would be an emotional moment to see James Courtney finally win one, I think he deserves one. Jack Perkins is rock solid, and has great experience. You could circle 20 drivers who are in a legitimate chance, and I think James and Jack are right up there.

White: Dark horse, I am going with Matty Payne, and Garth Tander. I had them as dark horses for Sandown, and they finished fourth. For Bathurst, all on the Garth side for obvious reasons. On the Matt Payne side, I think there's a lot about his driving ability, pace, and he knows how to win. But he also has the temperament, I reckon that will be just what you need around there, especially when things can go wrong.

Crehan: It may sound obvious to say Craig Lowndes and Cooper Murray, but they're a genuine dark horse. They have a quick car, and as we know, Craig thrives when he gets to Bathurst. Craig's experience goes without saying; he and the Mountain speak a language not many can. The Darwin wildcard was important for Cooper to shake out any nervous energy, and it showed with his great performance at Sandown.

Neylon: Nick Percat, because he got podiums with James Rosenberg Racing and Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport in 2014 and 2016. He knows how to get the most out of the smaller teams.

Pavey: Andre Heimgartner has yet to fire a shot at the Mountain with Brad Jones Racing after heartbreaking DNFs in '22 and '23. Heimgartner won at Taupō and missed out on strategy at Sandown, and has a strong co-driver in Declan Fraser. If BJR get their cars right, I expect the #8 to have a strong run.

Dowdell: Brodie Kostecki wants nothing more than to depart Erebus Motorsport in style with a Bathurst win. His aggression early at Sandown could be a sign of things to come. That aggression also rubbed off on Todd Hazelwood, who was a steady set of hands at February's Thrifty Bathurst 500 in Kostecki's absence. If the car lasts 161 laps, they'll be in the mix.

Who's the rookie to watch?

Skaife: I've got to say Cooper Murray, because of his performance at Sandown. And with Lowndes, it's a combination that you couldn't discount.

Yates: I think Ryan Wood's going to really impress people. I'm tipping him to make the Top Ten Shootout. I think he's been there or thereabouts all year, particularly in qualifying. I think we might see a pretty good showing from the young Kiwi.

Beretta: I'll go with Cooper Murray. He's pretty impressive. All these young guys coming through are so impressive, and Cooper Murray stands out to me. I think he's been really strong, and will only get stronger.

White: I'm gonna go Cooper Murray. I think he was very impressive at Sandown. He'll learn a lot from Craig Lowndes. Obviously, they're in a good team and a good car. If they can have a few things go their way, I think he will have a little bit of benefit, because he looks to me to be the kind of guy that soaks up everything that's in front of him, and he'll have a lot to soak up from what Lowndesy has in store.

Crehan: Aaron Cameron definitely surprised a few people at Sandown. He's cool and casual, not much seems to faze him, but he's fast too. He's got experience at the Mountain, and I think he will do well. Having Sandown under his belt will only help him.

Neylon: Ryan Wood. He is due. That's a really good pairing with Fabian Coulthard, and that's at least a top 10 right there.

Pavey: Ryan Wood has grown since he debuted at the Mountain in February, and it's easy to forget he got into the Shootout on debut, even if it was taken away due to yellow flags. He's super fast and has nothing to lose, and with Fabian Coulthard by his side, will be one to watch.

Dowdell: I'm interested to see how Kai Allen fares in his second Bathurst start. He had a tough Sandown, and he's now driving the iconic #17 at the place where Dick Johnson's legend was born; huge pressure on a 19-year-old's shoulders no matter the talent. However, his response could depend on which DJR turns up in what has been a hot and cold season.