V8s set to fire up the Top End
The saying goes that there’s no rest for the wicked but this also applies to V8 Supercar drivers. It’s been a long time between drinks - five weeks to be exact – since the last V8 event, but this was only because the Perth races were cancelled. But while you’ve been sitting on the couch of a weekend knocking back a few cans of XXXX Gold, some of the drivers headed to Perth even though there were no races to meet WA fans and fulfill sponsor commitments.
Reigning champ and TeamVodafone driver Jamie Whincup was one of those, who took part in a meet and greet ride day at Barbagallo Raceway among other activities. J-Dub lost the championship lead for the first time in 18 months and he is heading to Darwin’s Skycity Triple Crown with a renewed vigour. “Not leading the championship, that sucks,” he said. “I do strive to be the best out there and for the first time in a long time I’m not leading, but we’re not in panic mode.”
Pic: Time to dust of the gloves in time for Hidden Valley Race.
Credit: Justin Deeley
Whincup has another reason to have a spring in his step heading to Hidden Valley Raceway: he debuts a new Commodore at the Top End. J-Dub has a penchant for giving his cars names; he called the one he raced from the start of the year until Winton ‘Kate’. He’s named his new one Georgia, but why? “That’s classified, that’s all I can say,” Whincup laughed before agreeing a driver did build up a bit of a relationship with their car.
“I had a god time in Kate; she was a very good girl and won half of the races she competed in. “I have a soft spot for her as I do with (other old cars) Danni and Betty.”
So will Georgia stack up against Whincup’s older ‘girls’? “I think Georgia can do as good a job and compete with Danni any day of the week but time will tell,” J-Dub elaborated.
“She looks fantastic; I couldn’t be happier. I just hope she performs as well on the track as she looks in the workshop.”
Most, if not all, V8 Supercar drivers love the laidback attitude at the Darwin event including J-Dub. “Darwin’s great, it’s always got a great atmosphere,” he enthused.
“The warm weather thaws everyone out, especially those from Melbourne and gets everyone in the right mood to have some fun. “Sunday night is fun as well where a fair bit of the XXXX product is consumed!”
