Braking News: Remembering Jamie Whincup’s frightening incident with a python

SuperCars want to send Jamie Whincup to Sydney Zoo ahead of his next milestone — providing memories of a disastrous event where he was bitten by a huge python for two minutes.

Shannen Kiely (L) has emerged as the early favourite to inherit Erebus Motorsport from team owner Betty Klimenko.

We would not blame Jamie Whincup if he failed to show up to a media opportunity that Supercars are trying to schedule to celebrate his 250th round start.

We have been told that the sport wants to send him to Sydney Zoo ahead of this round at Eastern Creek, which obviously is not a good idea given what happened to him at a press conference at Taronga Zoo in 2014.

In a jaw-locking moment, Whincup was bitten by a 1m python while posing with the Supercars trophy.

We still don’t know how he managed to keep a straight face as zoo keepers attempted to remove the snake from his arm.

The naughty python had her fangs in the V8 immortal’s arm for more than two minutes.

Jamie Whincup and a Sydney Zoo python didn’t actually hit it off back in 2014.

RIVALS TURN UP HEAT ON SVG AMID PIT LANE TENSIONS

Supercars drivers unloaded on Shane van Gisbergen in a behind-his-back bagging after the champion failed to show for a compulsory photo shoot.

“Oh that’s a surprise,” one of the 19 drivers that were at the photo shoot said when he learned van Gisbergen had called in sick.

“He is too good for the rest of us.”

Braking News has been told that several drivers are “off” the championship leader amid claims he has become “arrogant”.

While it may be a case of tall poppy syndrome, van Gisbergen did himself no favours a few days after the no-show when he publicly bagged Will Davison while the DJR driver was sitting next to him.

Shane van Gisbergen (centre) and Will Davison (right) have shared an awkward moment during a recent press conference. Picture: Getty Images

Obviously forgetting who was sitting next to him while fronting the press following his race 23 victory, van Gisbergen dismissed Davison as a No. 2 in a jaw-dropping moment.

“It was good just to be competitive,” van Gisbergen said following his win.

“But the good DJR car wasn’t upfront, so we don’t know if we are really that fast. But …”

Van Gisbergen stopped mid-sentence when he realised Davison was sitting a metre away from his staring daggers.

“F---,” Davison said. “He has me off at one and then writes me off at the press conference.”

In van Gisbergen’s defence, we think he is more awkward than arrogant.

The soon to be two-time champion is an introvert and he has never sort or been comfortable in the limelight. And while he is a very intelligent man, van Gisbgergen is not great at turning his thoughts into words, which may explain his latest slip.

BEAUTY & BRAINS: SUPERCARS PLAYER TIPPED FOR $4M PRIZE

Shannen Kiely has emerged as the early favourite to inherit Erebus Motorsport following the revelation that Betty Klimenko will sell the $4 million team for just a dollar when she is ready to retire from racing.

Making her the most popular person in pitlane, Klimenko last week told The Daily Telegraph that she would gift the team to the “right person” rather than sell the outfit she built from the ground up in what she hopes will be a legacy ensuring act.

Catch all the ICC T20 World Cup action live & exclusive to Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

Shannen Kiely (L) has emerged as the early favourite to inherit Erebus Motorsport from team owner Betty Klimenko.

While just about everyone in the sport will be looking to make a “right person” claim with a Bathurst-winning team up for grabs, Braking News can reveal the next V8 millionaire may already be working at Erebus Motorsport.

Klimenko is a big fan of Kiely, a former PR consultant who is now the Erebus Motorsport MD.

“There is a reason why I made her my MD,” Klimenko said. “She has given me the confidence to be able to step back and spend more time with my grandchildren. She understands this world so well and has the brains to go with her beauty. She is going to be a player in a few years.”

Supercars go all Anchorman style: (from left) Will Brown, Mark Winterbottom, Scott Pye, Andre Heimgartner and Brodie Kostecki. Picture: Foxtel

DJR just too cool for school?

Even worse than calling in sick was refusing to go all together.

Obviously forgetting their team is named after a legendary knock about, Dick Johnson Racing told Supercars that it would not be taking part in the media activity because it was not aligned with its brand.

Yep. Apparently, the people’s team is too high brow to dress up and have some fun.

Chaz defies slippery conditions with stunning close

Chaz Mostert gained a remarkable 23 positions in a stunning through the field drive that saw him land a remarkable podium.

Starting last on the grid after being slapped down by a cruel qualifying penalty, the WAU driver defied treacherous conditions to go on one of the great V8 charges.

Mostert may have even won the race had it not been for the red-flag, which ultimately saw the race stopped with seven laps to go.

Shane van Gisbergen also deserves a mention for the last-gasp flick that stopped him from hitting a concrete wall in what would have been a championship-changing crash had it not been for the save.

Originally published as Braking News: Remembering Jamie Whincup’s frightening incident with a python