Motorsport: Whincup can be raining champion

James Courtney of the Holden Racing Team. Photo / Edge Photography

The V8 Supercars are imposing themselves on the streets of Adelaide this weekend for the Clipsal 500; round two of the series and for the past 12 years it's been a driver favourite.

However, there might just be a bit of a dampener to the weekend's proceedings, as those who divine to guess what the weather gods are thinking, are suggesting it might rain.

It is about 10 years since the heavens have opened at this event, and being a road circuit, drivers will have to be on their toes, and at the top of their respective games, to keep their cars off the wall and out of trouble.

The opening round of the V8 Supercars championship was five weeks ago, at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. While fans might think that was a lifetime ago, and the season is having its proper start on home soil, series leader Jamie Whincup is having nothing of such thoughts.

"Let's be fair to Yas Marina, it was the first round of the season but it is like having two starts to the series," he said. "We hit the ground running at Abu Dhabi and we've come to round two, one of the biggest events of the year, to try and have a similar performance [first and third]."

Whincup is the only three-time winner of the Clipsal 500 and is keen to continue his rich vein of form around the former Formula One street circuit. He'll be keen to gain more points in his march to wrest the number one plate from defending champion James Courtney.

The TeamVodafone driver has a 45-point lead over Alex Davidson, with Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen poised nicely in third, just a further 24 points back. The Stone Brothers Racing driver, despite making a solid start with a fourth and an eighth, thinks there's a lot more in the tank.

"It's hard to be disappointed [with the Abu Dhabi result] but it could have been a lot better," said Van Gisbergen. "It's qualifying we really need to improve in.

"We've had some good results here before so let's hope that carries on. It would be an awesome place to get my first race win but anywhere would be at the moment."

Perennial Kiwi favourite Greg Murphy has had some lean years but on occasion has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in the longer events. Murphy's had two seconds in Adelaide and would dearly love to be back on the podium today or tomorrow.

"I'm well ready for it," he said. "I love this place. It's an awesome event and a great track and the racing does not disappoint. It's bloody good."

One of the other drivers to feature will definitely be last year's champion Courtney, who will not be happy where he is on the table after the opening rounds. He is 12th just one place above Murphy after finishing 26th in the first race. He made his point, though, in race two where he took the win and described it as his best so far in his career.

Last year in Adelaide he was on the podium after starting 16th and is looking to climb up the table over the weekend.

Others to keep a keen eye on will be Rick Kelly, a past Clipsal 500 winner and his brother Todd. Mark Winterbottom has shown some good pace this year, as has 1999 winner Craig Lowndes.