Retiring Whincup 'blown away' by team's farewell celebrations
Jamie Whincup says he has been “blown away” by Red Bull Ampol Racing’s efforts to make a “special” event of his full-time swansong.
Whincup was honoured by his team with an aeronautical display on Tuesday ahead of his final full-time appearance in Bathurst.
This weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000 will be Whincup’s final full-time round before he shifts to team management in 2022.
Whincup will share his #88 Red Bull Ampol Commodore with Craig Lowndes before he joins the latter in full-time retirement.
Whincup and Lowndes will combine in Bathurst for a seventh time, having won the race three times between 2006 and 2008.
A day before cars hit the track at Mount Panorama, aircraft pilot Matt Hall took to the skies in a plane with team and #CheersJDub branding.
Hall is a former RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor, international unlimited aerobatic competitor and Red Bull Air Race champion.
The veteran touched down on Mountain Straight, where the team prepared #CheersJDub branding.
Team members posed for photos with Whincup and Hall, including 2021 champion-elect and reigning Bathurst winner Shane van Gisbergen.
“I normally like to keep it low key at the start of Bathurst week, but I don’t think I’ve got any chance this year,” Whincup said.
“I’m just blown away by how much effort the team has put into my last event.
“They’re making it very special for me. Win, lose or draw, I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as I can.
“I feel very privileged.”
Whincup will make his final full-time start at a venue where he has tasted success four times, and also suffered some key defeats.
However, with the end in sight on statistically the greatest career of all time, Whincup was simply excited to tackle Mount Panorama one last time as a full-time driver.
“This is the hardest race to win, and the easiest race to lose,” he said.
“We’ve had little issues here, there and everywhere over the years.
“We’ve also had some days when it’s gone right, and we’ve been able to stand on the top step four times.
“I’m not a greedy person, once would have been enough. But to have four to my name is a fantastic feeling."
The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship and Dunlop Series seasons will conclude at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 503) and streamed on Kayo.
The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
