Having a co-driver who can pick his way through the field or maintain a lead without striking trouble is vital to those full-timers who share their seat each year at the Mount.

Fortunately for DJR Team Penske talent Fabian Coulthard, he believes he has that in the form of Luke Youlden. The man who did a 2:06.7952 lap in 2014 has also stood on the Bathurst podium.

“That is half the battle, having someone that is reliable, someone who is fast,” Coulthard said.

“Bathurst used to be an enduro and obviously it still is, but the speeds are that fast and that good that it is pretty much an every-man-for-himself quick race.

“At the end of the day Luke knows his role and that is to bring the car back straight, the wheel pointing in the right direction, everything all in one piece and hand it back to me and do whatever we can from there.”