Whinners wins season opener

Race 1 has been run and won, and even though over a year has passed since than we were last in city of churches, not much has changed in V8 world. Defending V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup overcame a dismal start win the first race of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

The team Vodafone driver botched his start and slid from the pole, to fifth as his teammate Craig Lowndes took the whole shot into turn one chicane.

Whincup was able to fight back and took the lead again 19 laps into the 78-lap race around the Adelaide street circuit and eventually be in front when the chequers flew.
The win was Whincup’s fourth race win at the famed circuit and his third in a row.

A bonus to go with the Ford driver’s Saturday win was disaster for several of his major championship rivals on a testing day as cabin temperatures soared into the mid-40s amid Adelaide’s concrete canyons.
Ford driver Mark Winterbottom was pushed well back in the field after a mid-race tangle with fellow Ford driver, Shane van Gisbergen, left his car with substantial front-end damage.

Holden’s Most recent Champion, Garth Tander, had his race end with nine laps remaining when he was black-flagged with his car blowing copious amounts of smoke and losing oil.

Whincup’s Team Vodafone teammate, Craig Lowndes, spun out after his car had ruptured a power steering hose while sitting second with four laps left and finished one position behind Winterbottom in 19th place.
Ford driver James Courtney needed medical attention after the driving suit designed to keep his body cool in the searing heat failed mid-race. He rejoined the race to finish 20th.

Holden driver Lee Holdsworth finished second, with new Holden Racing Team recruit Will Davison an encouraging third on his HRT debut.

Whincup’s win was also the first for the new FG Falcon, which was made its V8 Supercars debut at this weekend’s Clipsal 500.

Whincup admitted he was relieved to get his championship defence off to the best possible start and uncorking a new car without any issues.

“The car was fantastic, we stayed out of trouble and there’s a fair bit of emotion as you come into the year with a new car, not knowing what to expect,” Whincup said.
“There’s a fair bit of extra pressure involved with having the No.1 on the side of the car.

“I feel quite relieved and hopefully this can push my year in the right direction.”
Steven Johnson, Jason Richards, Shane Van Gisbergen, Todd Kelly, Russell Ingall, Cameron McConville and Rick Kelly rounded up the top 10 with McConvilles finish coming after start dead last in 29th.