Valentino Rossi’s experience of Bathurst has come primarily through virtual simulations, but he says he is excited to take a spin around Mount Panorama ahead of Sunday’s 12-hour GT race.

A nine-time grand prix world champion, seven of which came in the MotoGP category, Rossi headlines the Team WRT BMW entry alongside Augusto Farfus and Maxime Martin.

No stranger to success in Australia, the Italian nicknamed “The Doctor” won eight times at Phillip Island between 1998 and 2014.

He said he was buoyed by the enormous support he had received since returning Down Under.

“I spent a long, long time in Australia in my life, a lot of times in Philip Island, for the MotoGP, and the fans are very strong for motorsport and it is always a great feeling,” he said on Thursday.

“The first time for me in Bathurst will be very different, but the place looks fantastic — [it] is incredible.

“I always just drove with the sim, but before we did the one lap, and it’s an incredible track. All the drivers say that it’s also very beautiful so we will wait for tomorrow to try with the car.