Gold Coast 600: Jamie Whincup opens up about his humble beginnings and where his future lies

Back at one of his favourite tracks, Supercars superstar Jamie Whincup reveals how a hobby became an obsession and why in his long career he doesn’t have any regrets.

BATHURST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 13: Jamie Whincup driver of the #88 Red Bull Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore ZB looks on during the Bathurst 1000 on October 13, 2019 in Bathurst, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

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Supercars great Jamie Whincup still has plenty left in the tank but he’s already preparing for life after he hangs up the helmet, with plans to eventually become a team boss.

Here, ahead of this weekend’s Gold Coast 600, he opens up to TRAVIS MEYN.

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Jamie Whincup got his motorsport start in go-karts.

You’re a huge fan of the Gold Coast 600, why is that?

I might be biased but this is the best week in Australian motorsport. It’s so good for the local community. It is such a challenging place to get around, to finish the race is one thing and the driver that steps on the top step of the podium has gone through hell and high water and deserves to be there.

How did you get into motorsport?

My father (David) and uncle (Graeme) bought me a go-kart when I was seven. I was a bit of a lost kid and didn’t have a hobby. They bought me a kart for something to do on the weekends.

So you didn’t really have any desire to drive?

They wanted me to do something. I hadn’t been introduced to motorsport before then. They gave me a hobby and I was hooked straight away.

You must have been pretty handy in the kart.

My father says he has never seen someone go as slow as I did at the start. But I really enjoyed it. I’d always have it cleaned and ready to go for the following weekend. It was a hobby that got out of control.

How did you go from being a slow go-kart driver to the best racer in Supercars history?

I moved on from cutting laps to doing a few races at the local club, then around Victoria and across Australia. By 1999, I was racing in the highest level of Australian karting.

Jamie Whincup last won the Supercars title in 2017.

Who did you look up to behind the wheel?

I watched Bathurst every year. The first I remember watching was in 1992, the famous year the GTR crashed and Jim Richards called everyone a “pack of arseholes” (after he was booed on the podium). I watched Supercars and a bit of Formula 1, but I wasn’t a huge fan. I just loved competing and going to the track to race.

Why do you think you’ve been so successful?

I put a lot of it down to my parenting. My parents made me respect what we had as a family and make the most of any opportunity. I’ve never taken for granted the life I live now and I owe pretty much all of it to my parents.

What makes you technically better than most of your rivals?

I don’t rate myself. You’d have to ask my opposition.

How has your driving evolved over the years?

It used to be all about the result, you measured yourself on that. What I have learnt is it’s more about the effort. You can put in an unbelievable effort as a team, have a two-dollar part fail, and you don’t get the result. The effort is most important.

Jamie Whincup is relishing a return to his home track.

You’ve won seven Supercars championships and four Bathursts. What else is left for you to achieve?

It’s never been about the numbers or ticking boxes. Every time I go to the track is another opportunity to race my mates, respect my rivals and try to beat them. It’s a simple concept which has been the same since I started karting.

You’ve had a few controversial moments on the track. Do you have any regrets?

No. I feel I’ve made the right calls at those times. You look back in hindsight and wish you had done a few things differently, but at the time and with the information I had I made a call, so I don’t regret anything.

You bought a 15 per cent stake in your team, Triple Eight Race Engineering, last year. How will that shape your future?

I started go-karting in 1991 and have been in motorsport ever since. I love motorsport and want to be competing in it until my mind and body won’t allow me to anymore, which I hope is a long time away. I recognised a couple of years ago that I won’t be full-time driving forever, so I needed a succession plan. I want to be a team owner and compete from the outside of the car rather than the inside. I decided to invest back into motorsport, which was a good feeling, and I’ll learn as much as I can over the next couple of years so when I hang the helmet up full-time, I can get into team ownership.

Are you planning to take over from (team owner) Roland Dane one day?

Hopefully one day, but I think it will be a long time to come. I don’t think any one person will completely take over from Roland for a long time. I’m hoping I can form part of that transition of taking over from Roland.

Jamie Whincup drying down cars as they exit the car wash.

Do you have a favourite championship from the seven you’ve won?

They have all been an unbelievable grind and I’m proud of every single one, but the last one in 2017 was pretty special. To win it on the last lap of the last race (when Scott McLaughlin was penalised in Newcastle) was pretty crazy stuff. If I have to pick one, 2017 is a highlight.

What about Bathurst?

There’s no favourite there. They were all unbelievable.

You own a car wash on the Gold Coast. Do you get your hands wet?

I’m a proud owner-operator of Washed For Cars (at Hope Island). I employ 40 staff and most of them are young kids who are being introduced to the workforce. I feel the responsibility of making sure their first taste of the workforce is a good one. I’m really proud of what I’ve established. To understand any business you have to be in their among it and hands-on. I spend as much time as I can on the mit.

How do you spend your spare time?

I live on the Gold Coast so I love the water. I do a bit of wakeboarding and was introduced to kite surfing not long ago. I’ve already crashed one. I also do a lot of mountain bike riding – the trails through Nerang are world class after the Commonwealth Games.

Next year’s Saturday race at the Gold Coast 600 will be held at night. What do you think of that?

I’m a massive fan of night racing. It’s going to be massive to do that next year. The world is forever getting busier, my friends can’t justify a full day at the racetrack but they’ll all come out on the Saturday night next year.

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Whincup is a big chance this weekend.

QUICK OFF THE MARK

First car?

A 1981 VH Commodore in baby blue.

How would you spend your last $10?

I’d invest in the share market and hope to turn it into $11.

Favourite food?

Eggplant, if you can believe that. I’ve been loving it lately, fried on the BBQ with soya sauce.

Best advice you’ve received?

Keep it real. There’s so much fake in this world at the moment.

Worst habit?

Not asking people how they are. I’m too straight to the point.

Favourite song before you get behind the wheel?

The Joker by Fatboy Slim is my flavour of the month.