V8 Supercars: Whincup set to put pedal to metal

Jamie Whincup says Team Vodafone are ideally suited to the Hamilton street circuit. Photo / NZ Herald

Last year's Mark Porter Trophy winner, Jamie Whincup, reckons he is primed for the streets of Hamilton for next week's ITM400.

Whincup, the 2008 and 2009 V8 Supercar champion, has sounded out a warning to all teams, including some determined Kiwi opposition, that he is right at home on the challenging and spectacular street circuit in Hamilton.

The sole New Zealand round of the V8 Supercar Championships is this weekend, April 16-18 in Hamilton for races seven and eight of the series.

Whincup said his Team Vodafone outfit, this year campaigning in Holden, are ideally suited to the street circuit and he personally loves street racing.

"Street tracks are great and they really do suit our car. There are a lot of bumps, there's crowned roads, manhole covers - it's all elements of street racing. There's not one driver out there that doesn't love the track," he said.

"And that chicane on the back straight is insane and we all look forward to that each year."

Whincup, who crashed out in his first year in Hamilton before returning to triumph last year, said he will be under real pressure in New Zealand especially from the Kiwi drivers on home soil.

"There will be added pressure to defend my win in Hamilton. There's always pressure in every race and to have No1 on the side of your car is the biggest pressure you can have."

He is picking Shane Van Gisbergen and Greg Murphy as real threats next week.

"Shane has definitely stepped it up this year. He's still a young bloke and he has had some good top three finishes this year. He is good to go.

"And remember you have Murph who is driving an identical car to myself. Those two guys, I think, are where the New Zealand money should be."

Whincup said his team is itching to cross the Tasman and continue his strong beginning to the season.

"We made a great start in the Middle East although I have had a little bit of a tougher run since then but so has my closest opposition. It's crazy close but I am happy to be leading coming down to Hamilton.

"We love Hamilton. I think Auckland would probably love to have the race back but Hamilton do a great job. The track is awesome and I was delighted to get over the line first last year. Hopefully we can do it again this year."

The cars arrived by special air on yesterday and today, with teams arriving tomorrow.

Practice is on Friday, qualifying and 200km race one for V8 Supercars is on Saturday and race two over the same distance on Sunday.

There is a full support racing from NZV8s, Suzuki Swifts and the exclusive V8 Ute transtasman test between New Zealand and Australia.