Colourful Supercars driver David Reynolds popularised "the shoey" celebration that has taken international motor sport by storm, but he would be unlikely to drink champagne from his racing boot if he were to win the Bathurst 1000.

Some will argue, but V8 legend Allan Grice has a strong case to claim that he scored the last true privateer victory in the Bathurst 1000.

The likeable Australian, who snuck in a quick dose of his favourite sport before his Malaysian F1 victory, says even the most robotic of his rivals are starting to lower their guards as he charms a new generation of motorsport fans.

Still buzzing from his Malaysia win, the Australian gets a playful reminder from his teammate of his standing with Red Bull.

If there were any doubts that Chaz Mostert would conquer his Bathurst "demons", he allayed them in practice on Thursday by being among the early pacesetters.

The famous badge will continue to fly on racetracks for at least another year after Ford Australia's Broadmeadows factory produces last model on Friday.

In almost 50 years on the track, all but one of the Falcon's greatest racing successes were on the hallowed tarmac of Mount Panorama.

Australian Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo believes the nine Australians arrested for celebrating his Malaysian Grand Prix win in their budgie smugglers should be released and escape serious sanctions.

A year ago Swiss racing driver Simona de Silvestro was a curiosity at Bathurst. This time she's much more.

Fresh from his win in Malaysia, Daniel Ricciardo is in Tokyo and looking forward to making amends for his disappointing 15th at Suzuka last year. 

Six-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup remains unrepentant about the defiance of team instructions that cost him victories in the past two Bathurst 1000s.

Supercars institution DJR Team Penske has secured multi-million dollar backing from its oldest partner for an all-out assault on the V8 title from next year.

• ANALYSIS

Until Sunday it had been two years since Daniel Ricciardo had won a Grand Prix and despite being upbeat throughout that lean period, there's little doubt he battled a range of emotions, both personal and professional.

The jewel in the Supercars season is approaching this weekend, with the Bathurst 1000 taking place on Mount Panorama from Thursday October 6 until Sunday October 9.

A sensational start, a touch of strategic luck see Daniel Ricciardo to a first-ever Formula One win at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The FIA has announced the 2017 formula one calendar, with Mexico City added to the schedule.

Now that the main players have made their moves, Supercars' first full-time female racer Simona de Silvestro is the key to the rest of the driver changes for next year.

Days after he delivered the Holden Racing Team a famous Supercars victory at Sandown, veteran Garth Tander has been shown the door in favour of Scott Pye for 2017.

Formula One ace Daniel Ricciardo wants to keep striking fear into Mercedes but concedes he'll need some help from the weather gods to achieve his goal.