Motorsport: Clan Kelly think they're on to a winner

Brothers Rick and Todd Kelly think their Holden package is capable of beating the mountain this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

BATHURST - Bathurst-winning brothers Rick and Todd Kelly believe they have ironed out their fledgling team's teething problems at the right time for a serious tilt at V8 Supercar racing's showpiece event.

The Kellys team up for only the second time at the Bathurst 1000 this weekend, though they have each won the race with other drivers.

Rick won twice with Greg Murphy in 2003 and 2004, while Todd shared success with Mark Skaife in 2005.

The pair linked up at their family-backed Jack Daniel's Racing team for the 2009 V8 season but have struggled to get it right - Rick currently sitting ninth and Todd 16th in the championship.

But Rick believes a fifth placing at Phillip Island in last month's endurance race lead-up shows their Holden can be a force at Bathurst.

"A little over six months in, we know that our new team has all the right guys for the job and they've given us a great car," he said.

"Todd and I have won Bathurst before so as far as a team and a combination goes I think we have a strong chance.

"The pace we had at Phillip Island was really second-to-none."

The Kellys have driven together once previously at Bathurst, finishing second in 2006 to Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup as the Ford duo started their Mt Panorama "three-peat".

Should the Kellys win Bathurst, they would be the first brothers to do so since Geoff and David Brabham won the Super Tourers event held at Mt Panorama during the sport's split in 1997.

The duo got in some driving practice ahead of Bathurst by driving from their Melbourne base to Mt Panorama this week in a restored 1953 Chevrolet.

"The trip up was a day and a half of time that was great for us to reflect on what sort of event this is and just relax a little bit and get into the groove of the Bathurst weekend," Rick said.

"The drive up is definitely a worthwhile trip for us and the old '53 Chev ran seamlessly the whole way, which was fantastic."

- AAP