"IT'S not over until it's over".
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Of all the lessons Scott Pye has learned at Mount Panorama over the years, embracing a never give up mentality is the one he sees as the most important.
It is exactly that approach he will take this Sunday in what will be his 10th Bathurst 1000.
"The most important thing I've learned is just always remind yourself it's not over until it's over, you're always in the fight," he said.
"I think that mentality has always done me well, but still now that's hard to remind yourself that sometimes when you're in the heat of the moment and things don't go your way.
"But for sure Bathurst is one of those events that you just have to keep reminding yourself it's not over until it's over.
"Even my second Bathurst where I finished sixth in a really under-funded team, we had a lot of issues throughout the week and mechanical problems and then the race really went faultless and myself and Paul Morris managed to finish sixth in it.
"We were not in the best position heading into that race and to get that result was a big highlight of mine even to this day. It was one of those days I was proud of."
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That race with Morris in 2013 was for Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, the same team which handed him his Bathurst debut a year earlier as Taz Douglas' co-driver.
Pye went on to contest three editions of the Great Race for Dick Johnson Racing, then picked up a pair of second placings at the Mount during his time with Walkinshaw from 2017-19.
Last year Pye made the switch to Team 18 and placed sixth for the Charlie Schwerkolt owned outfit in the season-ending Bathurst 1000.
It was a result which secured him ninth place in the drivers' championship and now, with the 161-lap epic once more acting as the Supercars finale, Pye is in reach of another top 10 series result.
He's currently in 11th, 41 points behind Erebus rookie Brodie Kostecki, having climbed up four positions over the four consecutive rounds at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Across the seven races that were held at that track, Pye gained 39 grid positions and produced his best finish of the season - a fifth in the first of the SuperNight races.
"We made good progress in the first event [at Sydney] and then were really in the fight. I think it was the Saturday night race I was very close to having a trophy and heading to Bathurst, that's what you want, having momentum like that," the 31-year-old said.
"I think we're in contention for sure. I mean it's Bathurst so anyone is in contention for a win there.
"I mean it's not my first endurance event, I guess I've done enough now that from my perspective it is all pretty straight forward."
Just as his form at Sydney gives him confidence, Pye also has faith that his co-driver James Golding will do a solid job. He'll be on double duties as he'll also race in the S5000 series which is making its Bathurst debut.
"James Golding as well is really match fit, he's racing regularly, so for us I think we are in a good spot heading into the Bathurst 1000," Pye said.
"Last year James was really one of the outstanding co-drivers, I think he was top three or four for the day of co-drivers. So for us it is a fantastic get and having that match fitness from regular racing is a real benefit and he's not long out of full-time racing either, so he's really sharp.
"I think he's a real asset and I think we can have a good showing together."