Jone Bowe, Gary Waldon Team for Bathhurst Assault

Inaugural 3-Hour Bathurst Showroom Showdown winners John Bowe and Garry Waldon will again team up for this year¹s mammoth GTP event at Mount Panorama on Saturday November 13.

Bowe will share the driving duties aboard Waldon¹s Dodge Viper GTS and the team loom as a major force in the event.

The Tasmanian Cat Racing V8 Supercar driver is confident of a strong showing, if the pair can nurse the achilles heel of the car - the brakes.

"I really enjoy the GTP category and can¹t wait to try the Viper," Bowe said.

"It is certainly going to be very different from the Ferrari, but I think Bathurst will be a lot kinder on brakes than a lot of circuits.

"With the long straights, the brakes get a bit of an opportunity to cool down so I am confident we should be pretty competitive.

"Garry has only raced the car twice this year and won a race both times - I have my fingers crossed that the winning streak can continue."

Bowe and Waldon have won as a pair previously, in the 3-Hour in 1997 aboard Ross Palmer¹s Ferrari F355 Challenge.

"John and I have a great history driving together, we get on well, are great mates and always pair up well with great results for the long races," Waldon said.

"We have a bit of endurance history together, and in the past seem to have had a run of winning or leading the events where we race together. We¹ll be going into Bathurst confident we can put on a good show despite the tough opposition."

Bowe and Waldon¹s main opposition will be the pairing of this year¹s GT Production Car Champion Jim Richards and runner up Peter Fitzgerald, driving Fitzgerald¹s Porsche 911 RSCS together.

"JR and Fitzy are a formidable pairing and have to be the favourites for the event in the Porsche. Porsche has been dominant in the series this year so anybody driving one would be expected to do well at Bathurst. Jim and Peter are going into the event with a factory-prepared car and will be the ones to beat," Waldon said.

Even though Bowe and Waldon¹s most recent history together has been in the Ferrari, Waldon feels that both drivers will adapt to the American car easily and will be equal contenders for victory.

"The Viper will do well around Bathurst. It is always fast around the Mountain and we¹re unlikely to have any of the traditional problems some of the Vipers have had with brakes, and I¹m sure reliability won¹t be a concern," he said.

"John and I will have as much chance as anyone for victory in the 3 Hour, and while I think it will be hard to win the race, it is certainly very possible for us, " said Waldon.

John Bowe will have the opportunity to test the Viper for the first time next week, where he plans to do a few laps in the car around Lakeside Raceway in Queensland to aquaint himself with the car and the left hand drive configuration.

Paul Ryan paul@pr2.com.au