Bathurst 1000: Jamie Whincup can break drought says six-time champion Mark Skaife
SIX-TIME Bathurst 1000 champion Mark Skaife says Red Bull Holden’s Jamie Whincup can end his four-year drought on the Mountain and claim his fifth Peter Brock trophy.
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JAMIE Whincup can end his four-year barren Bathurst run and claim his fifth Peter Brock trophy.
That’s according to six-time champion Mark Skaife, who believes series leader Scott McLaughlin will provide the biggest threat, while he hasn’t dismissed the chances of Mount Panorama great Craig Lowdnes.
Fox Sports commentator Skaife has run the rule over the field ahead of Sunday’s 1000km race, and has backed Whincup and teammate Paul Dumbrell to win their first Bathurst title since 2012.
THE WINNER
Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell (The Red Bull Holden Racing Team)
“The favourite has to be Whincup and Dumbrell based on the speed Whincup showed here last year,’’ Skaife said.
“The quality of the combination between he and Dumbrell is unquestionable. They are compatible, they have outright speed and they are driving for the factory Holden team.
“Whincup will be motivated to put what was an unfortunate finish last year behind him. I think they are the form combination.’’
THE CHALLENGER
Scott McLaughlin and Alex Premat (DJR Team Penske)
“McLaughlin’s speed this year has been staggering,’’ Skaife said.
“His outright pace has almost been unbelievable. And as much as Bathurst is about endurance and looking after the car it is also about being the fastest car with about an hour to go. If you have an hour to go and it is a straight-out match race between McLaughlin and Whincup … well look out. Scott would be very hard to beat in that scenario given what he has done on a variety of race tracks this year.
THE DARK HORSE
Cameron Waters and Richie Stanaway (Prodrive Racing Australia)
“It is strange calling them a dark horse after they won Sandown,’’ Skaife said.
“But they are still outsiders here at a much harder event. But I think Sandown would have done them the world of good, their confidence especially, and they will be a shot. They are certainly in contention and don’t be surprised if they end up on the podium somewhere.’’
DON’T WRITE HIM OFF
Craig Lowndes and Steve Richards (Team Vortex)
“Craig Lowndes will certainly be a chance here like always,’’ Skaife said.
“He and co-driver Steve Richards have 10 Bathurst wins between them and have unmatched experience at Bathurst. They have had an extraordinary level of success here and there is no reason why it will not continue. Success here breeds confidence and Lowndes is at his best come Bathurst.
“His racing has been good this year and qualifying won’t mean much here with the distance of the race. Don’t discount this very wily and experienced combination.’’
FOX SPORTS will have live and continuous coverage of the Bathurst 1000 on a dedicated 24/7 channel, FOX SPORTS 506.