V8 Supercars fans first chance to see the 2013 drivers and cars will be at the official pre-season test day (at Sydney Motorsport Park) on February 16^th – however, ardent fans will actually have a chance to catch them one week earlier.

A host of current full-time and endurance-driving V8 Supercar stars will be in action at the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour across the February 8-10 weekend, one week before the pre-season kickoff.

Event promoters yesterday released an entry list that includes 13 V8 Supercar ‘regulars’ amongst a 51-car field.

For many, the 12-hour hit-out will be an opportunity to get some pre-season Bathurst miles ahead of their more serious duties commencing one week later. Some also use the event as an opportunity to learn the circuit – ex-F1 star Christian Klien using the race to get his eye in ahead of his work with Russell Ingall in the Enduro’s last season.

Five-time Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 champion Craig Lowndes headlines the list, teaming with his regular ‘Season of Endurance’ co-driver Warren Luff in an Audi R8 with car owner, Rod Salmon.

It will be Lowndes’ third crack at 12-hour glory, the Queensland-based star expected to jet in straight from his current adventure in Europe on the Monte Carlo Rally revival (See V8supercars.com.au story here).

Erebus Motorsport drivers Tim Slade and Lee Holdsworth will get their first taste of Mercedes-Benz power on the Mountain nice and early, when they team with Australian GT ace Peter Hackett in one of two Erebus SLS AMG entries received.

Slade – who recently shook down Erebus’ first COTF Mercedes Benz E-Class AMG at Queensland Raceway last week – made his debut in the race last year, helping the team finish second on their Mountain debut.

As reported earlier this week, Shane van Gisbergen’s first outing in the distinctive black and yellow colours of VIP Petfoods will come at the 12 hour, driving with Tony and Klark Quinn in a Porsche.

JELD-WEN Racing’s Alex Davison will combine with cousin James and US-based Australian David Calvert-Jones in a Class B Porsche, racing against Steven Johnson – who will team with good friend Nathan Tinkler in an identical Porsche GT3.

Johnson, Tinker and Steve Richards combined to finish fourth in last year’s 12 hour, though Richards will this year be driving a Class A Lamborghini Gallardo.

Peugeot today announced that they had secured much of the Brad Jones Racing line-up for their two-car campaign, Jason Bright, David Wall and Dunlop Series regular Andrew Jones to drive a pair of RCZ Coupe’s amongst a trio of Peugeot drivers from France.

Regular endurance faces David Russell, Allan Simonsen, Craig Baird, Daniel Gaunt and Johnny Reid will also feature amongst a classy field that includes German Touring Car legend Bernd Schneider and World Champion Rob Huff.

Two-time Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winner and 1995 champion John Bowe is also entered, driving a Ferrari.