V8 Supercar legend John Bowe reckons the task of securing a top ten finish in this year's Bathurst 1000 will be harder than it's ever been in the race's 45-year history - but that will not stop the little Glenfords Racing team from trying.

Bowe said that a top ten would be a rewarding result for any team in the 161-lap challenge, and he should know, having already competed in 22 Bathurst events. Coming off a twelfth place finish at Sandown last month - the team's best-ever round result - the tight-knit Paul Cruickshank Racing squad is hoping that experience can help it improve on that and secure that elusive top ten result in what will be only its second Bathurst 1000.

A two-time Bathurst winner, Bowe will be partnered in the #111 Glenfords Falcon this weekend by Sydney young-gun Jonathon Webb, who impressed at Sandown and is a contender for the prestigious Mike Kable Rookie of the Year Award.

"To be in the top ten at the end of 161 laps at Bathurst in this field would be a massively rewarding achievement, especially for a young, single-car team like Glenfords Racing," Bowe maintained, "In years gone by, you could almost get there by circulating and staying out of trouble but, with the current level of V8 Supercar competition, you really need to be pushing hard the whole time.

"There's so many strong car and driver combinations that the field will be incredibly close, but there's still a lot to be had for keeping a cool head, which Jonathon and I showed at Sandown to end up just outside the top ten."

One wildcard could be the weather and, if currently predicted rain falls on Sunday during the race, Bowe suggests anything can happen.

"If it rains during the race, anything can happen - the form guide will change dramatically and it'll come down to who can think best on their feet," he claimed, "Especially if it's dry earlier in the week, set-up will involve a lot of guesswork and, because the race is so long, there's no guarantee that a good set-up on lap one will be good on lap 61, let alone lap 161.

"It's easy to make a mistake at Bathurst in dry conditions but, if it's wet, I wouldn't be surprised to see plenty of drivers come unstuck, even some of the main contenders which could turn the race and championship on its head."

Webb will be on double-duty at Bathurst, running with Stone Brothers Racing in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series races as well as partnering Bowe in the Glenfords entry.