Greg Murphy is the reigning champion and last year in qualifying set the fastest lap time on the Mt Panorama circuit, Jim Richards has made more starts than anyone else, so there is a proud tradition for New Zealanders to uphold.
Since the first endurance race of the series was staged in 1963, there have been 12 winning performances by New Zealand drivers.
Richards, who began his career in New Zealand but is a long-time Australian resident, has won seven, second only to Peter Brock's nine. Murphy has won three and Jim's son, Steven, two. Murphy and Steve Richards combined in 1999 for the only all-Kiwi victory.
Jim Richards' amazing record also includes two second places and three thirds, Steve Richards has two seconds and a third and Murphy two thirds.
Paul Radisich in 13 starts has come close to winning on several occasions, but his best finishes have been two second placings. Neal Lowe and Jim Palmer had one second and Rod Coppins and Graham Lawrence both finished third.
While Brock's "farewell" attempt to win a 10th Bathurst crown is being heavily promoted, Jim Richards continues to eclipse many of his other records. Gentleman Jim will be contesting his 33rd race, 31 in succession.
This time he has the dream drive alongside son Steven in a Larry Perkins Holden Commodore. In recent years they have been rivals - when Jim last won in 2002, Steve was second.
Murphy won his first Bathurst 1000 in 1996 in a Holden Racing Team Commodore with Craig Lowndes. After a spell in the wilderness when HRT cast him adrift, he triumphed again with Steve Richards in 1999.
Last year the man from Hawkes Bay dominated proceedings. In the Kmart Holden he was fastest in qualifying on the Friday with a lap of 2m 7.9503s, set the fastest lap of all time with 2m 6.8594s in the top-10 runoff and, with Rick Kelly, won the race in 6h 32m 55.4044s.
Eight other Kiwis will start this year's race. Radisich will be hoping the Betta Electrical Ford Falcon will last longer than it did in the Sandown 500, where it showed speed but no endurance.
Craig Baird and Mark Porter will be trying to extend Team Kiwi's record of finishing every Bathurst race they have entered. Jason Richards and Fabian Coulthard will have the chance to enhance Team Tasman's reputation.
Simon Wills and Team Dynamik have testing controversy to dispel and John McIntyre with WPS and Matt Halliday with Orrcon Racing have the opportunity to impress potential employers in their Bathurst debuts.
Motorsport: Kiwi kings of the mountain
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