In only its second year, the Bathurst 6 Hour looks as though it has already established itself as an important annual event on the Australian motor racing calendar.

Heading a diverse and star-studded array of drivers last year’s co-winner and current Ford Supercars star Chaz Mostert. He’ll drive a new Ford Focus RS with Nathan Morcom, with whom Mostert shared the victory in a BMW in the inaugural race.

“After last year with Nath I’m really excited to head back to the Bathurst 6 Hour,” Mostert said.

“Racing in the Ford Focus this year will be different to the BMW, but it’s pretty exciting to have the blue oval on the front of the car. The race has a lot of great memories in it already and the field is bigger this year and I’m sure there will be lots of competition.

“I’m really excited to get out there.”

Fellow current Supercars driver Tim Slade will also start, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Also in the field are former winners of the Bathurst 12 Hour John Bowe, Paul Morris, Rod Salmon and Craig Baird.

Super2 series race winner Todd Hazelwood will also start, along with Touring Car Masters frontrunner Jason Gomersall, Carrera Cup racer James Abela, Formula Ford Champion Cameron Hill and Australian GT Champions Klark Quinn and Mark Eddy.

Reigning Australian Production Car Series winner Beric Lynton will also return in his familiar BMW.

In addition to drivers from Australia and New Zealand, the field boasts drivers from the USA, Singapore, Hong Kong and Great Britain. A total of 152 drivers have nominated across seven different vehicle classes.

The 66-car field includes 35 different models of vehicle, representing 18 different brands.

The 2017 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour starts at 11:30am on Easter Sunday at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.