While the heat is off Jamie Whincup in this year’s V8 Supercars championship, sweltering conditions are set to provide the latest challenge for the Holden driver at this weekend’s season-ending Sydney 500 event.
The 29-year-old, who wrapped up his fourth title two weeks ago at Winton in Victoria, was fastest in practice on Friday as he aims to tick off one of the few remaining feats he’s yet to achieve in the category.
Whincup clocked a best lap of 1min 28.3984sec to outpace Ford rival Will Davison and Holden pilot Garth Tander on the tight 3.42km street circuit.
Despite being the standout driver over the past five seasons, Whincup’s best result over the three-year history of the Sydney Olympic Park race is fifth and the track remains the only one on the current schedule where he has never won.
Whincup has led the race three out of the six runnings, but mechanical failures including steering and gear box malfunctions have blown his chances.
With temperatures reaching 34C in the sun and around 65C in the cabin of the cars on Friday, Whincup moved from 14th quickest to the top of the timesheets after opting to upgrade his tyres for the final practice session.
“We had a tough day just trying to get into the swing of things,” said Whincup.
“The final time is a bit artificial. We really struggled on our practice tyres. We had to put a race set of tyres on at the end to go quick.”
When asked why the times were significantly slower than last year, Whincup was definitive in his explanation.
“Purely the heat,” he said.
“The engine and the tyres don’t like the heat; nor do the drivers mind you.
“The air coming in the side window isn’t that cool or fresh, so I think it’s going to be survival of the fittest tomorrow.”
The mercury is set to hit 41C on Saturday for the first 250km race which will severely test the endurance of the 28 drivers in the field.
“We’ve all got cool suits which are mandatory over 32 degrees,” said Whincup.
“The cool suit keeps your core temperature under control so you don’t get tunnel vision and what not.
“Without a cool suit you’d have absolutely no chance.
“Apart from that we can take the front windows out but then if it rains it’s a disaster.”
Davison has another motive to qualify quickest on Saturday morning, with a $20,000 cheque awaiting for the driver who claims most pole positions in the season.
“It’s something I’d like to get my hands on,” said Davison, who has started from the front of the grid in eight races compared to Whincup’s seven in 2012.
“Qualifying has been strong for us this year, better than our races.
“We were quick here last year and it has carried over to today.
“With Bathurst, it’s my most enjoyable track. It really gets your attention.”
Ford’s Mark Winterbottom, who sits in second spot in the championship, was fourth fastest in practice while his nearest rival, Holden’s Craig Lowndes, was sixth.
