» V8s: Ten aspiring drivers chase Bathurst drive

Ten up-and-coming racing drivers will compete in a new reality TV series starting on the 7mate network from July 23 for a chance to drive in the iconic V8 Supercars Bathurst 1000 endurance classic at Mount Panorama.

The show will be hosted by long-time Seven Network personality and occasional racing driver Grant Denyer with Jack Daniel’s Racing’s Todd and Rick Kelly – themselves former winners of the classic race – as judges.

Each week’s episode will see one contestant eliminated until the winner is determined. They will partner Denyer in a fifth Holden Commodore being entered under the Kelly Racing stable at October’s great race.

“It’s very tough for youngsters to break in and not many teams are able to give young drivers the opportunity that both Todd and I had when we came into the sport,” Kelly Racing co-owner Rick Kelly said at today’s announcement.

“Shannons Supercar Showdown is a fantastic platform for us to offer this opportunity to young guys and girls from Australia and around the world.”

The group of ten contestants includes two overseas drivers and three females. Most hail from a solid background in karting and Formula Ford, while one challenger is a former race-winner in the British Touring Car Championship.