HARD YARDS
WRESTLING THE PAST: YOUNG SUNS HOPEFUL REVEALS UNUSUAL TRAINING TACTIC
RED Bull Holden Racing Team spearhead Jamie Whincup is working harder than ever before as he heads to the famed Mount Panorama circuit that has brought him “mixed memories”.
The Gold Coaster has won the 1000km spectacle four times but could easily have had more, given he and co-driver Paul Dumbrell have gone oh so close to winning every annual race since their last triumph in 2012.
In 2013, Whincup almost pulled off a last-ditch pass on archrival and eventual winner Mark Winterbottom; in 2014 he ran out of fuel on the final lap while leading; and 2015 was the infamous safety car overtake incident.
Last year he led the field home but was relegated to 11th after being penalised for his part in a heavy collision between Garth Tander and Scott McLaughlin in what he maintains was a “shocking call”.
For all the drama though, Whincup insists the past is behind him and this weekend is not about redemption.
“The race is unbelievably hard to win and really easy to lose at the same time,” he said.
“We’ve gone up there and put on a good show but we just haven’t been able to get the results that we have felt we have deserved at times.
“All I hope for this year is being in contention and being able to battle it out with 20 laps to go.”
If his form this year is anything to go by, the No.88 Commodore will be a major contender come Sunday – helped by his belief that Red Bull have closed the gap to the pace-setting DJR Team Penske Falcons.
Whincup has done a stellar job to keep a record seventh Supercars title within sight despite points leader Scott McLaughlin often having a faster car.
“It’s crazy, you think there is probably not much to learn but the things I am learning and the gains I am making at this stage of my career just blows me away,” he said.
“I have just got my head down and am trying to be the best racing driver I can be.
“I don’t know if I am any better or worse than previous years but one thing I do know is I am putting in more time and effort this year than I ever have.”
For the record, Whincup actually regards that 2014 Bathurst thriller as his favourite memory of The Mountain as he and winner Chaz Mostert soared from the back of the grid to battle it out.
VETERAN’S NERVES, P43