The V8 Supercars Commission will decide on three wild cards to race in the iconic Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 after applications closed last night.

Three entries applied to compete in the PIRTEK Enduro Cup with two indicating their preference was to compete at the Bathurst classic and the third to take on the mountain and the Wilson Security Sandown 500.

New Zealand backed team ‘Super Black’ and two Holden Commodores raced by Garry Rogers Motorsport last year submitted by Dunlop Series team Dragon Racing are being considered, amongst several parties that expressed an interest in competing in one of Australia’s largest events.

The Super Black entry is being assisted by current Bathurst winners and Championship leaders Ford Performance Racing while Dragon Racing will race the Garry Rogers Motorsport, which this year switched to Volvo V8 Supercars, Commodores.

V8 Supercars refined the list to three based on the sporting, technical and business cases of each applicant. If all three wild cards receive endorsement from the Commission the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will host a grid of 28 cars.

A single entry by Dragon Racing is being considered for the Sandown 500 as part of the prestigious PIRTEK Enduro Cup that is contested across the signature Wilson Security Sandown 500, Bathurst and Gold Coast 600; events which in their entirety attract more than five million viewers in Australia and an attendance in excess of 400,000 people.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 alone attracts a television audience in Australia well in excess of two million people, making it one of the big four domestic sporting events each year.

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said high interest in the Bathurst classic and the PIRTEK Cup was testament to the magnitude of each event with the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 one of the world’s most revered motorsport events.

“The interest was significant,” Warburton said. “Numerous parties contacted us to express an interest in joining the Bathurst grid this year. Some had great desire but not the technical backing and personnel required for this year but are putting together plans for next year.

“We also had keen interest from teams in the Dunlop Series however the Commission resolved that only current specification cars would be eligible to ensure the race continues to set the benchmark of technical parity and competitiveness.

“It is a substantial commitment to race at Bathurst and the three being considered certainly appreciate the significance. This event sits comfortably alongside Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500 and the world’s greatest motorsport events. It is also every drivers’ dream to win at a Bathurst in the Great Race.”

The V8 Supercars Commission is expected to finalise the grid early next week when the teams’ entries and drivers will be formally announced.

V8 Supercars will officially release the 2014 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 entry list following this weekend’s Castrol Townsville 500 – Driven by TAFE.