Jamie’s five-year drought continues
JAMIE Whincup’s Bathurst curse continued yesterday when Mount Panorama slapped him down in yet another 1000km blow.
The Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver made it a fiveyear run of Bathurst failures after an engine fault cruelled his dream of resurrecting his record-breaking bid.
Stranded on four Bathurst wins since 2012 when he drove to glory with Paul Dumbrell, Whincup also blew a shot at claiming the Supercars championship lead after title rival Scott McLaughlin was the first driver struck down in the race on lap 74.
“We are not sure what happened but it was something to do with the engine,’’ Whincup said. “It has been a tough week but we will hang in there. The mountain can be cruel.’’
Whincup admitted he was frustrated by his run of Bathurst outs, especially those that were out of his control.
“I am not sure when that luck will turn around,’’ the Gold Coast driver said.
“Look, I am not sure if we would have won today but we were in a good spot. But it wasn’t to be.’’
Whincup will now turn his full focus to winning an unprecedented seventh Supercars title. The Triple Eight Race Engineering pilot is locked in a title war with several drivers, including McLaughlin and fellow Red Bull driver Shane Van Gisbergen.
“We have been hanging in there all year,’’ Whincup said.
“We will continue hanging in there after today.’’
Whincup returned to finish the race in a fix-it job that allowed him to score 60 championship points and hold on to second as Fabian Coulthard took over the series lead.