Owner Kevan Pearce  and his South Australian crew have joined forces with four-time Bluewater Champion Roger Hickman and his crew from Atara for this year's race. This IMS champion finished first overall in the 1996 race, second overall on IMS in the tough 1998 race, and third overall in the 1999 race. As always, expect a tough battle for IMS placing between Ausmaid, Quest and Syd Fischer's Ragamuffin, with a relative newcomer Yendys also vying for a back-to-back overall win.