That year, when everyone else was racing the Bathurst 1000 in memory of legend Peter Brock, killed in a car accident just one month earlier, Brede was on a more personal mission - driving for the man who was supposed to be his co-driver that weekend.

Just two days out from the big race, Mark Porter had been involved in a horrible collision in a second-tier V8 race on the Mount Panorama track.

Porter remained on life support until a teary Craig Lowndes crossed the finish line in one of Bathurst's most emotional victories. Porter died that same day.

This weekend, marking the 50th anniversary of Australian motor racing's iconic event, Brede will finally return to the mountain where he lost his mate.

''I think there's going to be a lot of emotion there,'' said Brede, who will only be a spectator at the race this weekend.

''It's one of those races, it doesn't matter what the circumstances are it just brings a huge amount of emotion. It's like grand final day in the AFL or the rugby league, it's the one day of the year that stands out more than any other in that sport.

''It's such an iconic circuit, there's not one that comes close to it in Australia and there aren't many around the world that are much better from the point of view of its history and its pure ferocity. That circuit to drive on is as frightening as any out there.''

Brede drove in six consecutive Bathurst 1000s from 2001, his best result a seventh place in 2005.

Still only 38, he couldn't foresee at the time that 2006 would be his last race. He almost didn't start then either.

However, with Porter's racing number on his helmet and his name still on the car window as a tribute, Brede found a new co-driver Michael Caruso at the 11th hour and took to the grid.

In lap 59 of 161, his race and career was over when he slammed into the wall himself.

Brede still maintains contact with Porter's family, his wife Adrienne and son Flynn.

''She remarried about a year ago, which is fantastic, so she's obviously got on with life which is important,'' Brede said. ''I'm not sure how she copes with this time of year, it must be tough on her.''

Brede said he was excited to finally return to Bathurst, although he was hesitant at first.

''I think the first year was difficult, '07 was hard, I didn't go back because I was still struggling to get my head around not racing,'' he said. ''The rest of the year was OK, but the one race you look forward to is Bathurst and I was concerned I wasn't quite ready [to go back].

''I think it was the right time [to retire], but this time of year's hard, you miss it. Going there this weekend, I think I'll miss it again.''