Angus Fogg on track in his Ford Mustang at the Townsville 500. Image: InSyde Media
Nine New Zealand-based entries round out the full field, who are all regulars from the Central Muscle Cars series.
Headlined by Angus Fogg and Lance Hughes, two regular TCM contenders this season, the Kiwi contingent also includes the likes of Triple Eight part-owner Tony Quinn in his #101 Pontiac.
Returning to the series after what was initially supposed to be a one-off earlier in the year is GT4 championship contender George Miedecke.
Miedecke returns with Whiteline Racing aboard its #85 Chevrolet Camaro, which he last piloted at the Muscle Car Masters event at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The former TCM full-timer spent the 2022 campaign aboard the very same Camaro, and rejoins the squad with which his family has a strong connection.
Miedecke’s father Andrew notably raced for team owner Bob Middleton in AUSCAR, winning two titles in the early 2000s.
“I was on the cooldown after the last race at Sydney after we’d won the weekend and Bobby was already on the radio trying to get me back,” Miedecke told Speedcafe.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a good refresher for me. We’re at Bathurst twice next year with GT4.
“The Bathurst 1000 is always an incredible event and it was sort of like a ‘don’t threaten me with a good time’ kind of situation, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Miedecke has been in and out of V8-powered muscle cars of late, swapping the old-school Chevrolet Camaro for his contemporary Ford Mustang in GT4 Australia.
“We should be in with a real shout. There could not be two more different cars, honestly,” said Miedecke.
“The first couple of laps in the TCM car, I was at sea. At the end of the day, it’s still a race car and luckily it’s left-hand drive as well, which is good.
“You’ve got to attack the GT4 really aggressively. The TCM car is much more about finesse.
“You’d go between whole corners without ever getting the full throttle by the end of the weekend.
“It’s a lot of fun just because it’s raw, it’s got so much power and not much tyre, so it’s a lot about balance and patience and extracting the speed out of it. It’s pretty rewarding.
“It’s just a good family environment and I’m looking forward to getting back in.
“It’s been decades that we’ve been driving for the Middletons, and so going back to that environment it’s a lot of fun.”
Another returning face is Jordan Cox with the fan-favourite Mazda RX7, having been absent from the previous round at The Bend.
Steven Johnson enters the final round in the box seat to claim his fifth championship crown, and his second aboard the Russell Hancock-owned Brut Ford Mustang.
A fifth title would put Johnson just one behind John Bowe’s all-time record of six.
Touring Car Masters hits the track at Bathurst on Thursday for practice (7:25am AEDT) and qualifying (9:55am), before the limited-points Trophy Race on Friday (8:05am).
The series then returns for its three championship races across Saturday (8:30am and 2:25pm) and Sunday (7:30am).
Entry list: Touring Car Masters, Bathurst 1000
Num
Driver
Team
Model
Class
2
Adam Garwood
AMA Collisions
Ford Capri Perana
Pro Master
3
Danny Buzadzic
Western General Body works
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Master
6
Ryan Hansford
Multispares Racing
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Master
7
Jim Policina
MoComm Motorsport Coms
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Am
9
Andrew Fisher
Jesus Racing
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Master
10
John Bowe
Bendigo Retro
Holden HQ Monaro
Pro Master
11
Angus Fogg
J.A. RUSSELL LTD
Ford Mustang
Invitational
12
Peter Burnitt
Depulu Wheel Reconditioners
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Sport
18
David Hender
Pearcedale Plant Hire
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Am
24
Scott Fleming
Mona Vale Smash Repairs
Holden HQ Monaro
Pro Sport
25
Brayden Phillips
Brayden Phillips
Chevrolet Monza
Invitational
27
David Schramm
Blag Flag Designs
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Sport
28
Jamie Tilley
Pro Lube Lubricants
Ford XY GTHO
Pro Master
29
Martin Riseley
Heywoods Shepparton Motor
Ford Mustang Coupe
Pro Sport
32
Jordan Cox
Viola Private Wealth
Mazda RX7
Invitational
33
Steven Johnson
Tyrepower NSW
Ford Mustang
Pro Master
43
Tony Galbraith
Fluidex Transport
Valiant Charger
Invitational
53
Tony Auddino
Rightway Industrial
Ford XY GTHO
Pro Sport
58
Timothy Brook
Duggan Family Hotels
Holden Commodore
Pro Master
60
Cameron Tilley
ProLube
Valiant Pacer
Pro Am
65
Rod Cannon
Cannon Trailers P/L
Ford XY GTHO
Pro Sport
71
Marcus Zukanovic
R J Batteries P/L
Ford Falcon XD
Pro Master
75
Adam Williams
Williams Outdoors
Holden Torana A9X
Invitational
77
Warren Trewin
Berryman Products
Holden HQ Monaro
Pro Sport
78
Jeremy Hassell
AIRTOWEL
Holden Torana A9X
Pro Am
81
Hamish Frew
Akatrax Bike Park
Chevrolet Camaro
Invitational
84
Lance Hughes
Gilpin Cartage P/L
Holden SLR5000
Invitational
85
George Miedecke
LUBRIMAX
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Pro Master
90
Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly
Pontiac Trans Am
Invitational
95
Scott Cameron
Whiteline Racing / Gusto Finance
Chevrolet Camaro RS
Pro Am
101
Tony Quinn
Keltic Racing
Pontiac Trans Am
Invitational
153
Rob Lewis
Brian Scott Motors/Mag & Turbo Warehouse
Chevrolet Camaro
Invitational
700
Nick Ross
elf lubricants / C & R CONSTRUCTIONS
Dodge Challenger
Invitational
782
Dave Casey
Seven82 Motors
Holden Commodore
Pro Sport