SYDNEY - V8 Supercar veteran Russell Ingall says a new combination with Owen Kelly for Sunday's Bathurst 1000 will be his best chance to win the race since joining the Supercheap Auto team.
Ingall, a two-time Bathurst winner, raced with teammate Tim Slade at last month's Phillip Island 500 but
says he has gone with the experience of former V8 Supercar driver Kelly for Sunday's race.
"Tim did a good job at Phillip Island, he put up a good show and we had a reasonable result, but at Bathurst it's very, very different," the 45-year-old Holden driver said.
"It was a tough call, but when you're up there and you're a genuine contender like we are, it's a lot of pressure on someone. I know what that's like from when I drove with Larry (Perkins) for the first time in '95.
"Pace-wise, Tim and Owen will probably be very similar, but the experience tipped the decision in Owen's favour."
Kelly left V8 Supercar racing in 2007 after six seasons in the sport to chase a career in America's NASCAR series, similar to fellow Tasmanian and former V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose.
Slade will now team up with Ingall's partner from last year at Bathurst and Supercheap Auto team manager Paul Morris in Sunday's race.
"I'm sure Tim's disappointed, but with the pressure off he will probably perform better and I'm sure he and Paul will be top 10," Ingall said.
- AAP
