Jamie Whincup defiant after Triple Eight struggles
Both Red Bull Ampol Fords starting outside the top five
Triple Eight could notch up longest Supercars enduro winless streak
Jamie Whincup vows Triple Eight Race Engineering will be on track to "have a crack" at Bathurst victory, amid a trying weekend for the Ford squad.
In its first Bathurst with the Blue Oval since 2009, Triple Eight qualified its two cars in sixth and 12th.
The Will Brown/Scott Pye Ford has appeared the more settled of the two, reaching the Shootout. The Broc Feeney/Nick Percat car, meanwhile, has been nondescript all weekend.
Triple Eight opted to change the engine on the Feeney Ford, with Whincup claiming his team is "throwing the kitchen sink" at the #88 to ensure it can be a factor on race day.
Having won the Great Race more than any other team, Triple Eight knows how to get the job done — and while his team is on the back foot, Whincup — who was firm pre-event — isn't losing sight of the ultimate goal.
“We'll definitely be out there to have a crack," Whincup told Supercars.com.
"It's a standalone event for us. It's not a championship race, you know what I mean?"
Since winning the 2006 Bathurst 1000, Triple Eight has never lost three straight Great Races on the bounce. Both streaks are at risk of falling tomorrow.
When asked if he is confident with his team's race car performance, Whincup said: "I don't know. Hopefully in race trim we’re a little bit better, but time will tell.
"It's a big day, minimal mistakes, and we’ll try to be there at the end."
The race commences at 11:30am AEDT.
