DAVID Russell has certainly had his share of highs and lows at Mount Panorama, but when he gets behind the wheel of a Nissan Altima at Bathurst this week he will be hoping his luck is of the good variety.

Russell can boast being one of the more experienced co-drivers when it comes to the Mount. During his time at the 6.213 kilometre track he has hit kangaroos, driven with a damaged windscreen, won Carrera Cup races and set record lap times in the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Last year’s eighth place in the Bathurst 1000 alongside Rick Kelly is a highlight Russell will be looking to add to as he makes his fifth consecutive Great Race start this Sunday.

Following three years of disappointment, Russell earned that top 10 finish in the Bathurst 1000 with Kelly as they demonstrated that the Nissan Altima entry could be a genuine threat.

“I can’t wait to get to Bathurst, always on the Monday afterwards I wish it were only a few more days until the next time we race there because I just love driving at the place,” Russell said.

“To be in the Bathurst 1000 is a privilege, and at the same time you want to do the very very best that you possibly can in the race.

“To team up with Rick again in the Jack Daniel’s Nissan is fantastic.”

With a 10th placing at last month’s Sandown 500 – the first leg of the V8 Supercars’ Enduro Cup – Russell sees no reason they can’t improve at Bathurst.

“Both Rick and I have firm plans of being further up the result sheet than we were last year. Obviously we know that it takes a lot of effort and it can throw anything at you,” he said.

“We had a solid result at Sandown, but we definitely know where we can improve in a few areas, so we head into Bathurst knowing we can move forward.

“We had a good car there last year, we had a couple of little issues in the race that hampered our speed, but we know had that not have happened, we would have finished further up the order.

“I’m not looking back at last year; I’m certainly eyes forward this year looking to get the best possible result we can.”

Outside of his V8 Supercars endurance co-drive, Russell has been getting plenty of racing hours in the Carrera Cup Championship.

Russell is currently on a run of top five finishes in the all-Porsche series and will look to extend that at Mount Panorama.

He is fourth in that championship.