Whincup: 2013 reminded me why I love this sport

Five-time Champion Jamie Whincup was last year reminded of why he loves racing when at one point it appeared all might be lost.

Whincup took his fifth title at the Sydney 500 just over a month ago, making him reflect on a year that began very differently with new cars across the field and an off-track battle in the courts that may have determined whether he drove or not.

The 30-year old consistently throughout the year claimed he was not deserved of the Championship lead, often blaming himself for being unprepared. That uncertainty he now believes made his fifth Championship all the more rewarding.

“I enjoy motorsport for what it is – it’s a cool concept, build a car, take it to a track and race it around – I was able to understand what motorsport is about again,” Whincup told v8supercars.com.au.

Despite being the most successful driver in the field, Whincup doubted he could take the hat-trick denied of him by James Courtney in 2010, the only break in his five titles.

“When I missed out in 2010, I thought I’ve missed out on a big opportunity to go three in a row,” he said. “I was very thankful I did get that opportunity again and I did make the most of it.”

Whincup said it would be surreal to line up at the Clipsal 500 in six weeks’ time hunting for a sixth Championship, an achievement that would mean he passes the legends of the sport he now equals – Ian Geoghegan, Dick Johnson and Mark Skaife – and undisputedly become V8 Supercars’ greatest.

“I was happy with one Championship back in 2008 – somehow I sit here with five,” he said. “I’m very grateful; very grateful for every race win and every Championship win. I don’t expect any more, but I love my racing.

“I’ve never enjoyed my racing more than I do right now and last year made me realise how much I love the sport. So I’ll go out there this year and have as much fun as I can, race my mates and try and put in the best job possible.”

Funnily enough, it wasn’t the on-track challenge that reinvigorated Whincup's love for his sport; or a battle behind the wheel.

Early on in the season, Whincup was embroiled in a legal dispute – he had personal sponsorship that conflicted with the team’s naming rights sponsor Red Bull – which could have sidelined the V8 Supercars star.

“There was a huge moment around the Grand Prix mark, the March-April mark, where I had three days in the Supreme Court,” he told v8supercars.com.au. “That could’ve resulted in me sitting out of driving for the year. Unfortunately, it took that for me to really realise how much I do love the sport.

“I really feel like motorsport is getting a group of guys and girls together, you build a car, take it to a track, race your mates and someone’s lucky enough to cross the line first. That’s what it’s all about and we were able to do that at the end of last year and it was really rewarding. As I say, I’ve never enjoyed racing as much as I did last year. Hopefully that follows on to this year.”

Whincup remembers a unique difference about each Championship victory.

“2008 was my first. 2009 was the first with the FG when we debuted a brand new model car – when you debut any new car you have a few teething issues. I had a great battle with my mate Will (Davison) which was a special moment.

“2011 was a big bounce back from 2010. I felt like we lost that Championship. We didn’t get beaten, we certainly lost it. So 2011 was a big fight back from 2010.

“My father passed away the start of 2012 that was a Championship I wanted to win for him that particular year.

“And 2013 was the first year of Car of the Future. If there was any talk I did have a better car in those other years, last year we all had the same. We started off with the same vehicle and it was whoever did the best with it. So I was very proud my team could finish 1-2 and win the Championship with a car, with a starting point that was no better than anyone else’s.”

Whincup will line up at the Clipsal 500 with a new race engineer this season, David Cauchi, as he aims for his sixth title.

Tickets are available for the Adelaide event now.