As the snow season draws to a close the season of endurance begins for V8 Supercars with the L&H 500 at Phillip Island as the prelude to the world famous Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, followed by the internationally renowned Armor All Gold Coast 600 where 28 of the globes best internationals join the homegrown drivers.

Multiple Bathurst winners Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Russell Ingall, joined with 2009 winner Will Davison and Fabian Coulthard, remembered for one of the fiercest crashes at the Mountain in last year’s event.

They were taken out of their racetrack comfort zones at Perisher today by a series of challenges, a little over a month out from the Mount Panorama classic which will engulf the nation.

Five-time Bathurst Champion Lowndes was not quite the master in the snow in contrast to V8 Supercar leader Whincup who is a semi-professional wake boarder on water and powder. It is those two who have the most to win, or lose, in the season of endurance.

Fresh from winning all three races at last week’s Coates Hire Ipswich 300, Lowndes was excited to challenge himself on a different mountain.

“How awesome is this,” said Lowndes who is defending the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with six-time winner Mark Skaife. “It’s one of the best things I’ve done and a heap of fun. Now the serious stuff starts.

“To see the boys flying down the slopes was certainly an eye opener, not quite like 300km/h down Conrod Straight but still pretty challenging. Perisher is an incredible place and some of the black runs are almost as tough as Bathurst.

“At first we were all taking it pretty easy, but as always once you cross the line the fever starts. We all know there are no friends at Mount Panorama outside of your team-mate.

“Coming into my absolute favourite part of the year I feel incredibly confident. But as we all know anything can happen at Bathurst and generally always does.”

Wily veteran Ingall is always a challenger at his favourite Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 event and was in the running last year with his then team-mate Paul Morris before finishing eighth. Like Lowndes he is far more comfortable behind the wheel than on skis.

“I’m like Craig, I absolutely love Bathurst. Mind you Perisher is not too bad either, a bit bloody cold though. I really like our chances at Bathurst this year; I think Jack Perkins and I are the real surprise packets.

“It’s fantastic to be here having a bit of fun with Craig, Jamie, Will and Fabian. We spend so much time training and preparing for an event that it was a real pleasure to come here and have a lot of fun while promoting the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Ingalls’ enthusiasm only grew when looking forward to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

“After F1 driver Jenson Button visited Bathurst earlier this year you only needed to hear how excited he got about the mountain to realise how special an event it really is,” he said.

“Quite simply it’s the pinnacle of racing in Australia and one of the great motorsport events in the world. I know I speak for all the drivers when I say that we all look forward to this time of the year. Personally I can’t wait take it on again.”

Drivers took part in several skiing and snow boarding races past a replica of a Team Vodafone Supercar. The car was placed on the slopes and the vibrant red of last year’s winning Team Vodafone V8 Supercar glowed in the pure white snow of Perisher.

Professional snowboarders and skiers couldn’t resist the temptation to use the car as a base for an aerial display, performing an array of stunts and tricks high above the car and drivers during the film shoot.

V8 Supercar Championship leader Whincup is an avid snowboarder and looked right at home as he tore up the powdery slopes. But even he ogled at some of the snowboarders.

“I just love Bathurst and I love snowboarding. When I heard that the Champions of the mountain were coming to this mountain, well, I just had to be a part of it,” he said. “It’s (Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000) getting closer and like Rusty (Russell Ingall) said I can’t wait”.

From October 6–9, Mount Panorama will play host to 28 V8 Supercar drivers and their co drivers as they fight for the much coveted Peter Brock Trophy.

More than 180,000 racegoers and 30,000 campers will be on hand to see V8 Supercars reaching speeds up to 300km/hr as drivers push the limits of their skill and stamina to conquer the mountain and secure their place in history.

On-track the action will be never-ending with Fujitsu V8 Supercars, Touring Car Masters, GT Championship, Porsche Carerra Cup and the V8 Ute Series all racing at the iconic Mount Panorama.

Fans can create an ideal event experience with a range of ticketing and accommodation options including corporate, grandstand or general admission. Four-day general admission tickets are available from just $120 and weekend general admission from $105.

Kids 12 and under will be admitted free to general admission and paddock areas with a paying adult. All tickets can be purchased from ticketek.com.au.

Visit www.v8supercars.com.au for more information.