ONE is a man driven to improve, the other a Mount Panorama class record holder itching for a new challenge, but come Sunday Bathurst's Brad Schumacher and Brad Shiels will also have a shared goal. Together the pair hope to be amongst the first to see the chequered flag in the Bathurst 6 Hour as they share the wheel of the Kelso Electrical Subaru Impreza WRX. Schumacher and Shiels, who also will be joined by Mark Griffith in the three-driver team, feel they can mix it with the rest of the Class A1 entries pushing for outright honours. That Schumacher ran as high as second in his 6 Hour debut in the same Subaru last year gives him the belief and confidence producing of a strong showing. "We were looking the goods, I recall we were 17 seconds in front of [eventual third place getter] Steven Johnson with 40 minutes remaining. Then we had the puncture which led to us finishing in 12th position, but that's why we are back to have another crack this year with a bigger and better team," Schumacher, who owns the Subaru, said. "Last year we said we were hoping for a top 10 and we were 12th outright with that issue which cost us laps, so I honestly think a top five finish is where we are at. If it all goes well, nothing happens to the car, that's where we can be. "Since last year the car has been completely refurbed, so basically everything in it has been rebuilt. The engine has been rebuilt, the gearbox, the differential, the shocks, the brakes - it's basically like a brand-new car." READ MORE: Aubin brothers have a new set of wheels for Easter READ MORE: Markwick hopes to Excel at the Mount READ MORE: Six things you need to know about the 6 Hour After sharing his seat last year with another Bathurst racer in Michael Anderson, this Easter Schumacher opted to expand to a three-man line-up. "Last year we ran a two-driver team ... but our master strategist Luke Bell thinks a three-driver team is a much better strategy," Schumacher said. "That way you don't have to worry about drivers doing X amount of time and going over or under." So when he heard that Shiels' drive in the Production Sports support category did not eventuate, he was quick to make a call. Shiels has enjoyed plenty of success at Mount Panorama over the years, including clocking a Radical Cup Australia class lap record. "With Brad's experience in and out of all different types of cars, the moment he became available it was a no-brainer to bring him on board. He'll help us with the car set-ups and the stints," Schumacher said. "We've got also Mark Griffith on board with us as well and that guy won an Australian Rally Championship back in 1992, so that guy, he's got plenty of experience." Shiels, who is likely to have the job of starting Sunday's race, is excited at the prospect of making his Bathurst 6 Hour debut. He was involved with team which placed sixth outright last year, but did not actually get any seat time. "It's always been something I've wanted to do. Last year I got an opportunity to be the third driver for Garth Walden and Craig Baird, but there was an accident at some stage during the race which changed the strategy and I didn't end up getting in the car," he said. "It's something I've always wanted to do, I haven't done it before, so it should be cool. Any time you get the chance to race up there is awesome. "The Easter weekend has always been a big weekend, even back a lot of years ago it was one of the major weekends up here. The 6 Hour now is becoming a pretty high-profile race." Want a discounted subscription to follow Bathurst sport this winter? Click here While the Bathurst duo know the five BMWs in their class will have more straight line speed, they are hoping the reliability of the Subaru serves them well. The new MRF tyre may also work in their favour. "It's not hard on tyres either and it's fuel usage is not too bad. So ultimately if the race runs the way we'd like it will be a four-stop strategy," Schumacher said. "That makes up the difference to the fast guys down the straight. Keeping in mind last year the Subaru was the second-fastest car across the top - it's got an excellent chassis. "There is really good competition, but everyone is running on the new MRF tyre now which has been a major talking point between people lately. "I think that's going to bring the field closer together. A lot of people are taking about how the tyre is going to lose lateral grip and issues with set ups, but I think the Subaru all-wheel drive is going to compliment that set up, especially if we have rain." "We know we are going to have as good a gear as we could possibly have, so it's going to be good," Shiels added. The Bathurst 6 Hour will commence at 11.30am on Sunday.