ID :
169474
Sun, 03/20/2011 - 12:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/169474
The shortlink copeid
Whincup extends V8 lead with Clipsal win
Jamie Whincup's two previous V8 Supercar championship wins have used the Clipsal 500 as a springboard.
So consider the Holden driver airborne as he chases a third title in four years off his victory in Sunday's rain-swept race two around the Adelaide street circuit.
The Team Vodafone driver knows it's too early to talk about championships just four races into a 27-race season.
But the portents are good for Whincup.
His phenomenal record in Adelaide continued with his fifth win in the past eight races held in Adelaide, plus a second to Holden's Garth Tander in race one on Saturday.
His championship lead of 144 points is nearly one whole race win clear of second place - massive for this time of the season.
Even his rivals acknowledge how well he's driving.
His car has room for improvement, but his team is on top of its game - Whincup admitted a clever set-up change as he battled mid-race proved the difference between falling into the mid-pack and putting himself into a dominant championship position.
But mindful of leading the championship early last year then having James Courtney come over the top of him, the 28-year-old has promised to maintain his aggressive approach and add to the 44th career win he brought up on Sunday.
"Circulating around at this stage for points is not the way I roll. I'm here to win races," Whincup said.
"I was in a very similar position to this last year and ended up getting spat out the back."
Certainly Ford driver Mark Winterbottom, who sits second overall, says his team and everyone else on pit lane will have to lift to match Whincup and Team Vodafone's high bar.
"If I beat him, then we're going to get points on him but what he did today - it was pretty hard to do," Winterbottom said.
"It's not going to be easy, but we'll go back, and go again."
Winterbottom, who battled flu all weekend, finished third in Sunday's race to Whincup with Holden driver Rick Kelly splitting the pair on the podium.
The V8s race next weekend in the non-championship event at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The next round of the championship is in Hamilton, New Zealand, from April 15 to 17.
So consider the Holden driver airborne as he chases a third title in four years off his victory in Sunday's rain-swept race two around the Adelaide street circuit.
The Team Vodafone driver knows it's too early to talk about championships just four races into a 27-race season.
But the portents are good for Whincup.
His phenomenal record in Adelaide continued with his fifth win in the past eight races held in Adelaide, plus a second to Holden's Garth Tander in race one on Saturday.
His championship lead of 144 points is nearly one whole race win clear of second place - massive for this time of the season.
Even his rivals acknowledge how well he's driving.
His car has room for improvement, but his team is on top of its game - Whincup admitted a clever set-up change as he battled mid-race proved the difference between falling into the mid-pack and putting himself into a dominant championship position.
But mindful of leading the championship early last year then having James Courtney come over the top of him, the 28-year-old has promised to maintain his aggressive approach and add to the 44th career win he brought up on Sunday.
"Circulating around at this stage for points is not the way I roll. I'm here to win races," Whincup said.
"I was in a very similar position to this last year and ended up getting spat out the back."
Certainly Ford driver Mark Winterbottom, who sits second overall, says his team and everyone else on pit lane will have to lift to match Whincup and Team Vodafone's high bar.
"If I beat him, then we're going to get points on him but what he did today - it was pretty hard to do," Winterbottom said.
"It's not going to be easy, but we'll go back, and go again."
Winterbottom, who battled flu all weekend, finished third in Sunday's race to Whincup with Holden driver Rick Kelly splitting the pair on the podium.
The V8s race next weekend in the non-championship event at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The next round of the championship is in Hamilton, New Zealand, from April 15 to 17.