The Ford in question is the Le Mans class-winning GT, which will be demonstrated on the mountain circuit in the lead up to the race by Ford factory driver Ryan Briscoe.

Sydney-born Briscoe is part of Ford’s GT squad in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the US but has also made three starts in the Bathurst 1000.

“The Ford GT is an ultra-high-performance car,” Briscoe said, "so I’m really excited and honoured to turn the Ford GT’s first laps at Bathurst.

“For me, Bathurst is one of the best, if not the best racing circuit in the world. Nothing quite compares to Bathurst. Bathurst as a circuit demands the highest respect at all times."

If circumstances allow for Briscoe to put in a quick lap, it is likely that the car will break the 2-minute barrier. Current-spec GT3 sports cars which compete in the annual Bathurst 12 Hour in February have lapped in the 2m02s region, but GTE-spec cars like Ford GT in European racing are significantly quicker than GT3 cars.

This year’s Bathurst 1000 takes place over the weekend of October 4-7.