Rather than make the call himself, track owner Tony Quinn is handing over to the fans the decision about how to pair up V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, drift sensation ''Mad'' Mike Whiddett, Highlands resident professional Andrew Waite and himself.
''I can't decide which drivers to put in which car so we've decided to open it up to the public. Let us know which drivers you'd like to see racing together by visiting the Highlands Facebook page,'' Quinn said.
The poll will also be available on the website (here) and everyone who votes will go in the draw to win a lap with each of the four drivers in the passenger seat of Highlands' new Ferrari 488 GTB at the 501 on November 10-12.
Van Gisbergen and Whiddett received wildcard entries for the event from Quinn, in what will be the last Australian GT appearance at the Central Otago track. The 501 will double as the final round of the 2017 Australian Endurance Championship.
Highlands' chief operating officer Josie Spillane said this year's extended endurance race, which has changed from a 101-lap contest to a 501km battle, was ''a real celebration of what we have achieved in five years''.
''Having drivers like Mike and Shane recognising the ceremony of it has been really humbling for us. They are two of the southern hemisphere's top athletes, who have moved heaven and earth to come and compete,'' she said.
Highlands has been a happy hunting ground for van Gisbergen who won the Highlands 101 in 2015 with Quinn's son, Klark. He has promised to repeat the burnout he performed in front of fans he two years ago, if he claims his second win.
''I'd never done a skid in a GT car before and it was a pretty cool way to celebrate,'' van Gisbergen said.
''Hopefully, I get the chance to do it again but I'm just stoked Tony has invited me to race in the McLaren. It's the last Australian GT race at Highlands and I really wanted to be there. I love the race, I love the format and it's one of my favourite tracks in the world,''
For Whiddett, it is another chance to show off his circuit racing skills after making his debut at last year's Hampton Downs 101, in which he finished an impressive eighth.
''It's a dream come true to get back to Highlands and have another crack in a GT car. I love GT racing. ''It's so different to drifting where three judges decide if you win or lose. In the GTs if you're fast, you've got the lap times to prove it. If you're not, you're out the back.''
