WHO WILL WIN V8 CROWN?
Five fight it out for title
IN whath is ih the closestl finishfi i hi in theh history of the Supercars championship, News Corp motor sports writer JAMES PHELPS runs the rule over the contenders.
Following last week’s Bathurst 1000, there are five drivers still in the title fight.
The championship is unlikely to be decided until the season finale at Newcastle next month after the Mount Panorama crashes and carnage turned the championship on its head.
Just 289 points separate the top five drivers.
Fabian Coulthard, Jamie Whincup, Scott McLaughlin, Chaz Mostert and Shane Van Gisbergen all have a definite shot at winning the crown in a three-round heavyweight fight.
1ST: JAMIE WHINCUP
In a tight finish, Whincup will have it over his rivals with the six-time champion a master when he is under the pump.
Whincup has been there, done that and his experience will prove critical. RBHRT found genuine speed at Sandown and were the fastest team on track.
While Bathurst was a nightmare, expect the juggernaut outfit to lead the way at Surfers Paradise, a track they have dominated.
2ND: SCOTT McLAUGHLIN
McLaughlin is still the fastest driver in the field and would have won the championship had he not suffered an unlucky mechanical failure at Bathurst. McLaughlin was dumped to third on the points table but will storm home to make it a thrilling fight. His pace is unquestionable but is unproven when it comes to dealing with pressure.
His poor strike rate of converting poles into wins this year suggests he may have an issue.
3RD: CHAZ MOSTERT
Mostert is the dark horse in this five-man battle. A one-lap flyer, the Ford man is capable of challenging McLaughlin for pole at all three events and could scream into title contention. PRA have raised the bar and were almost as fast as Penske at Bathurst.
The key round for Mostert will be Auckland. McLaughlin, Van Gisbergen and Coulthard have always been strong on their home track and Mostert will have to run with them.
A plus for Mostert is he is the only one of the five contenders who is not fighting a teammate for the championship.
4TH: SHANE VAN GISBERGEN
It’s been a season of ups and downs for the reigning champion — and expect that to continue for the final few rounds. Van Gisbergen will be out to win it or bin it — and will probably do both. The Kiwi is a proven performer at both the Gold Coast and New Zealand.
He will be forced to play second fiddle to Whincup unless he can jump the legend next week on the Gold Coast.
5TH: FABIAN COULTHARD
Coulthard is hoping consistency will win this year’s championship.
The Kiwi has managed to stay in the fight despite being outpaced by his teammate McLaughlin by playing it safe. The surprise leader following a crash fest at Bathurst, Coulthard will be strong in New Zealand.
Coulthard will have to win races to win the championship. He is capable but McLaughlin will run him down if the young gun can keep his car on the track.