bathurst starts now

2008 preparations for the Phillip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000 begin today.

Bathurst training begins today as long-distance co-drivers hold their first run of the year at Eastern Creek, the first time organizers have given riders in the two endurance races special training sessions at race meetings.

Eastern Creek is one of four events where additional drivers will have the chance to see their vehicles ahead of the Phillip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000.

Not all teams have decided on co-drivers, but the session will be a great way to get an advantage for those who have them.

The Holden Racing Team will be running veterans Glenn Seton and Craig Baird in their two Commodores. Seton will drive Mark Skyfe's regular car, while Baird will use Garth Thunder's car.

Ford Performance Racing will drive Dean Canto on Mark Winterbottom's regular ride, while Luke Youlden will drive Stephen Richard's Castrol-sponsored Falcon.

The HSV dealer team will give experienced Kiwi Paul Radisic time in Rick Kelly's car, while Markus Zukanovic will drive Paul Dumbrell's car.

“It's an important part of getting used to the team and the cars,” says Dick Johnson Racing team manager Adrian Burgess.

His team will include new players Warren Luff and Steve Owen.

Finding the right navigators and preparing them for the job is becoming an increasingly important issue. This year's race at Phillip Island will consist of two short qualifying races on the Saturday before the meeting to determine the starting order for the long race. Each rider will compete in one race so it is very important to give an inexperienced rider more time in the seat.

Stone Brother racing will benefit from the session. A huge James Courtney reshuffle at Adelaide forced the team to use the team's backup car, last year's Russell Ingall.

It hasn't been used in months, and the session will allow rookie Jonathon Webb to rack up valuable pre-enduro miles and break the car in before Courtney drives it.