MOTOR sport is a game of inches, and it was never more apparent than the Bathurst 1000 today.

Matt Campbell and Shane van Gisbergen held the lead with under 20 laps remaining, coming into odds-on favourites with the bookmakers, before a slight stagger after the safety car left the track saw him slide off the track and down to tenth.

After recovering from the error, van Gisbergen had worked his way back into third position, when an attempted takeover came unstuck, resulting in a damaged tire and an ensuing pit stop, seeing them drop back to 12th.

The pair showed tremendous fight, and were rewarded with a fifth placed finish in Australia's biggest race.

Holden's David Reynolds and Luke Youlden took honours for the Erebus Penrite Racing team, with Scott Pye and Warren Luff in second, and Fabian Coulthard and Tony D'Alberto in third position.

Campbell and van Gisbergen will hope to finish on the podium for the final leg of the Enduro series when they head to the Gold Coast on October 22.

UPDATE 5PM - FURTHER HEARTBREAK

An attempted pass resulting in a punctured tire has brought an end to Shane van Gisbergen and Matt Campbell's Bathurst 1000 hopes.

The New Zealander was sitting in third position, recovering brilliantly from a mistimed turn, when he attempted to overtake the second-placed driver.

It didn't pay off, as he lost control, went through the gravel and his tire suffered.

They are now back in 11th position, over a minute behind the leaders.

UPDATE 4.45PM - HEARTBREAK!

An error has caused Shane van Gisbergen to slide down the positional standings after he mistimed a turn.

Van Gisbergen and Campbell were in first position when the slide happened, and they now find themselves in seventh, although they are still just five seconds off the pace after 145 laps.

UPDATE 4.15PM - A stroke of genius from Shane van Gisbergen and the pitcrew has seen him and Matt Campbell come out of a pit stop ahead of Chaz Mostert and Shane Owens, two rivals in the run home.

The safety car was called yet again, with 26 laps to go, with Campbell and van Gisbergen now in front.

UPDATE 3.45PM - After a safety car has come out, Matt Campbell and Shane van Gisbergen are in a striking position with just 39 laps to go.

The pair are currently in fourth with van Gisbergen, as the safety car allowed them to make a pit stop without losing too much ground.

They are under six seconds off the lead now, and have a great chance of making the podium.

UPDATE 2.45PM - Matt Campbell has completed his minimum lap requirement, with Shane van Gisbergen now back in control of the team's car.

Drivers have passed the 100-lap mark in the terrible conditions.

Campbell and van Gisbergen are currently sitting in 17th position, 1:28.9582 behind Cam Waters and Richie Stanaway.

Despite their position, bookmakers are still giving the pair a good chance to win the event, sitting on the second line of betting with UBET.

UPDATE 12.45PM - Despite some shaky moments, Matt Campbell has regained composure and is making further progress for his team at Bathurst.

They currently sit in 12th through 56 laps, currently 2:17.1357 off leaders Cam Waters and Richie Stanaway.

Conditions have not eased, and the rain looks set to stick around for the remainder of the 161-lap event.

UPDATE 11.40AM - A mistimed corner has seen Matt Campbell and Shane van Gisbergen slide further down the chain through 32 laps at the Bathurst 1000.

The pair are currently sitting in 25th, 1:38.0875 behind leaders David Reynolds and Luke Youlden.

UPDATE 11.10AM - Matt Campbell is behind the wheel, but will have to overcome adversity after Michael Caruso came up on his inside and clipped the Warwick driver.

Campbell was left posted in the middle of the track after the knock, but is back up and driving.

The pair are currently in 17th, however they have had a pit stop, with 12 drivers ahead of them yet to stop.

UPDATE 10.50AM - MATT Campbell's Bathurst dream is off to a good start, with the Warwick driver and Shane van Gisbergen already moving one position closer to the top through the opening 15 laps.

Conditions are horrendous at Mount Panorama, with rain pouring and not looking like stopping anytime soon.

The pair are currently on the second line of betting behind leaders Chaz Mostert and Shane Owens.

Despite having pole position, Scott McLaughlin and Alexandre Premat have slipped back to fifth.