Don’t write me off just yet, Whincup warns his rivals

GOLD Coast driver Jamie Whincup has declared his bid to win a record-extending eighth Supercars championship is alive, with the V8 immortal claiming he can still chase down DJR Team Penske man of the moment Scott McLaughlin.

As he prepares to strap down for his 450th championship race – the milestone to be racked up at the Darwin Triple Crown this weekend – Whincup warned his rivals against writing him off in a defiant response to a recent run of V8 outs.

The Red Bull Holden Racing star slumped to his second worst race finish of the year last round in Winton and is sitting fifth on the championship ladder, 364 points behind leader McLaughlin.

“I don’t think you should write me off,” Whincup said.

“It’s a third of the way through the year. There is still a lot of water to run under the bridge. We have led the championship this year.

“We are a fair way behind right now, because of a great run from car No.17 (McLaughlin), but if anyone can get on a good run and score some points (it is us).”

Whincup, 35, is adamant he is no fading force. He stormed home last year to steal the championship from McLaughlin in a last-ditch grab at the season-ending Newcastle 500.

The Darwin Triple Crown begins with practice on Friday.