Motorsport: Anything can go wrong at Bathurst, says Lowndes

Despite being a hot favourite for this weekend's Bathurst 1000, Craig Lowndes is realistic about how easily it can all turn to custard. Photo / Getty Images

Craig Lowndes has warned that being defending champions and red-hot favourites for Sunday's V8 Supercar Bathurst 1000 can mean little in such a difficult race.

TeamVodafone ace Lowndes and veteran co-driver Mark Skaife claimed victory in last month's Phillip Island 500 to make it three wins from the past three endurance races.

But Lowndes says no-one should think the pairing are unstoppable going into Sunday's big race with the five-time Bathurst winner well aware of how quickly things can go awry at the Mount Panorama circuit.

"Bathurst has always got a great attrition rate," Lowndes, 37, said on Tuesday.

"Anything can go wrong. We always talk about a $2 part going wrong. Contact or problems with the car in early stages.

"It's all up for grabs and I think we've just got to do the right thing by our strategy, get both Mark and I happy with the car like we were in Phillip Island."

Lowndes is however delighted 44-year-old part-timer Skaife is in tip-top physical condition going into this year's endurance races.

The six-time Bathurst winner is down to a trim 83kg and Lowndes says that can only bring out the best in his partner after Skaife suffered back issues in last year's race and Lowndes had to drive almost the final half of the race non-stop to claim victory.

"There's no doubt that Mark's fitter but we want to make sure we even up the stints," he said.

"You want to be fresh at the end. Last year I was quite lucky that it was more of an economy run but if it's a sprint to the finish you want to have the freshest driver in the car with all guns blazing."

Lowndes and Skaife as well as TeamVodafone stablemates Jamie Whincup and Andrew Thompson will head to Bathurst on Wednesday with the action at Mount Panorama to get underway on Thursday with three practice sessions.

- AAP