Race rivalry revs up

What can Perth expect this weekend when the V8 Supercars Championship makes its 38th appearance at Barbagallo Raceway?

The racers head to WA for the Perth SuperSprint after a Tasmanian leg that made headlines when rivals Will Davison and James Courtney shared a lively post-race exchange.

Davison was furious at Courtney whose Holden he accused of barging his Mercedes from behind as a supercar pack negotiated a bend in the first contest of the three-race meet.

"I can't wait to be behind you next time," Davison could be heard threatening in a video of the confrontation.

The impact spun the Victorian's vehicle 180 degrees to ruin his race, while Courtney went on to take a podium finish.

Davison later labelled the New South Welshman "arrogant", but the championship second-place holder defended his actions saying his car was pushed into Davison's after being "drilled" from behind by Chaz Mostert's Ford. Racing pundits have commented on Davison's anger as indicative of a championship that is tightening with each round in 2015.

WA Sporting Car Club general manager John Clark expected it to be "on again" between the eastern states pair with not much room to move on the Neerabup circuit.

"It's a pretty tight track here and I reckon the racing will be closer so Im sure those guys will be back into it pretty hard," he said.

"It's good though, it adds a bit of profile to the sport."

Mr Clark attributed the evenness of the competition to the racing teams having become accustomed to the new supercar model dubbed "car of the future" introduced in 2013.

It's anyone's guess who will be leading the championship after the Perth meet with Jamie Whincup holding the No. 1 spot by a scarce margin.

The season has produced four different winners from six races.

Mr Clark predicted fifth-placed Shane van Gisbergen, who sits just 27 points shy of Whincup, to feature strongly in Perth where 300 points are available from three races.

But legendary racer Craig Lowndes, sitting third in the championship, could steal the spotlight as he aims to become the first V8 driver in history to reach 100 race wins.

The 40-year-old Victorian, who has had more triumphs in WA than any other track, recorded his 99th victory in Tasmania to leave local fans a solid chance to witness him achieve his century.

Success in Perth would also have him become the sole record holder for most wins at one track.

Lowndes has topped the podium 15 times at Barbagallo Raceway, equal with motorsport great Mark Skaife's 15 wins at former Sydney circuit Oran Park.

Mr Clark highlighted the scope of what the Holden driver could achieve this weekend.

"Anywhere around the world in any sort of motorsport; a hundred wins is colossal," he said.

With fine weather predicted for the weekend, Mr Clark expected about 40,000 spectators at the event.

A range of exotic cars will be on display in a new initiative for 2015.

Also new this year is a ticketed viewing marquee at turn one, which has sold out.