Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen is looking to put the difficulties he and his team have had to deal with this season in the rearview mirror and cap the year off with yet another win.
'Giz' notched up his second Supercars crown late last month, and is now focusing on winning his second title at Bathurst 1000 this weekend, alongside his Red Bull Racing teammate Garth Tander.
And for the lightning-quick 32-year-old Aucklander, his growing list of accomplishments is all a bit surreal.
In the last 12 months, Van Gisbergen has added New Zealand Grand Prix and Battle of Jack Ridge rally sprint titles to his Bathurst and Supercars victories.
Speaking to Newshub, Van Gisbergen reveals he never envisioned that type of success.
"I just wanted to be a Supercars driver, going out to Puke every year but never dreamed of being a champion or anything," Van Gisbergen says.
And the defending 1000 champions can attack the infamous Mountain with no fear on Sunday with the championship sealed.
Van Gisbergen and Tander are aiming to become the first pair to win back-to-back at Bathurst since Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes completed a three-peat in 2009.
"It's great we've locked up the championship because we can focus purely on the race, not have to worry about staying out of trouble, not having to not take risks, just there to get the result."
But the journey to Mount Panorama hasn't been an easy one for the 2021 series champion.
He and his team have had to navigate through constant obstacles dealing with the COVID pandemic, while the Kiwi also dealt with an early-season collarbone injury that required surgery and threatened to halt his dominance.
"Big job for the guys because we can't go back to our base in Queensland - we're stuck in New South Wales.
"The truck's been going back and forth to make sure we have enough parts to service the car - not having the comfort of our own workshop is not great, the guys are preparing it at the track."
But he accepts it's just another challenge they have to overcome.
"The Melbourne-based teams have all gone home and are preparing at their own workshops, but it was the other way round last year for us, so it's our turn to sacrifice."
And the biggest thrill for the fan favourite Van Gisberegen? Defending his 2020 victory in front of a packed circuit full of motorsport petrol heads.
"That's the only thing I missed last year, not having that atmosphere.
"Seeing the crowd react I really missed that, but the race was intense as ever and I'm expecting the same this year."
The Kiwi motorsport superstar is hoping for the same result as he looks to go repeat in 2021.
Join Newshub for live updates of the 2021 Bathurst 1000 from midday Sunday
