Bright excited ahead of new format.

Jason Bright has tipped the L&H 500 to be one of the highlights of the V8 Supercar Championship season as the enduro season kicks off at Phillip Island this weekend.

The circuit replaces Sandown in hosting an endurance round, with the 2008 season marking the first time since the 1960s that an enduro has been held at the picturesque venue.

Bright will be joined at the wheel of the Fujistu Racing Ford Falcon by Adam Macrow for the 500km event and he admitted he expected the event to provide a number of challenges.

"Phillip Island is a fantastic fast and flowing circuit," he said. "Back in the 1960s it preceded Bathurst as the major endurance race in Australia. It's great that it is back as a single 500 kilometre race in the championship.

"We will need to race flat-out throughout the entire race. One of the big challenges will be taking care of the tyres. The right-rear has traditionally copped a pounding on the Island and ensuring that both Adam and I keep that in check is crucial.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge as I believe the race will be one of the real highlights of the season."

Both Bright and Macrow will have to qualify and race separately for two sprint races on Saturday, with the combined points from those two races then deciding the grid for the 'main event' itself.

"I'm looking forward to having to qualify and race on Saturday," Macrow added. "I have had some good moments at Phillip Island, including winning the Fujitsu Series two years ago at the track. So having the added responsibility of the Saturday qualifying and racing does not faze me at all.

"I might not have raced this year, but this is my third year with the team as the specialist co-driver. I have worked closely with Jason and the crew over the past 18 months and had the opportunity to drive the Fujitsu Racing Falcon at testing, so I'm ready."