Onwards and upwards

After a successful run as a wild card entry at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Aaren Russell is looking to score a gig as a co-driver for the 2016 Pirtek Enduro Cup.

The Dunlop Series racer, 24, contested his first 1000 with brother Drew and family team Novocastrian Motorsport over the weekend.

The team performed well with the Plus Fitness Commodore coming home 17th - on the lead lap - and will return the leased Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden they raced without a scratch.

Experiencing the Great Race with his family team was special for Russell - but he and Drew intend to move onwards and upwards for next year, both targeting enduro drives for 2016.

"This year was just about trying to fly the flag for the team and me and Drew as drivers," Russell told v8supercars.com.au.

"Ultimately me and Drew would love to do it with other teams - that's our goal for next year, we want to have a drive somewhere in the enduros with a main series team and go from there."

The young gun loved the weekend and said it still hadn't quite sunk in yet that he had raced the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Contesting the race gave him a new perspective on what it means to the teams and drivers involved.

"I can totally understand now why drivers see it as such an iconic and unique race," Russell said.

"It's such a long day and I'm probably more mentally drained than what I am physically - it just takes everything out of you. I fully understand now the uniqueness around it and why everyone wants to win it so bad."

From here, the Novocastrian racer will focus on the final round of the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series, to run at the Coates Hire Sydney 500 from December 4 to 6.

He has taken plenty away from running amongst the main game stars over the weekend and Russell said he was riding a wave of confidence at the moment. He sits 13th in the Dunlop Series in his fifth straight season.

"I think I did over 220 laps throughout the weekend with all the cars we drove," he said.

"I think I learnt from the main series as well - just the level of commitment you have to have throughout the racing.

"The Dunlop Series is fast-paced but then you get in the main series and it's twice as bad.

"Every lap is a qualifying lap and you've got to be so precise - so I think it was good for me to do to learn from that. I can carry that into the Dunlop Series and help myself - no mistakes, consistent every lap, so I think for sure it'll help us at Homebush."

It's back to work and everyday life for Russell until December, but the memories formed over the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will stay with the young gun for a long time.

"If I could do that every weekend of the year, I'd do it every weekend of the year - it was one of those things I'll never forget in my whole entire life," he said.

"Even if I get to do it again, my first will always be the most special because I got to do it with our team - my brother, my dad, my family.

"I'd love to do it all again, it's just one of those races that is so unique you just want to ... go back and do it better."