Does V8 Supercars Have A New Smiling Assassin?

Scott McLaughlin, Fujitsu GRM. (C)

    Last weekend at the newly upgraded Pukekohe Circuit in New Zealand, V8 Supercars crowned its youngest ever winner of a championship race in the form of 19yo Scott McLaughlin.
    The Christchurch born Kiwi's rise through V8 Supercar ranks borders on meteoric. After plying his trade in karts, in 2010 McLaughlin debuted in the Fujitsu Development Series, the youngest ever at 16, driving a FG Falcon for Stone Brothers Racing. 2012 saw him win the NZ V8 SuperTourer Series in a VE Commodore for MPC Motorsport, plus clinching the 2012 Dunlop Series at 2012's season ending Sydney 500. Before the champagne had even dried on his racesuit, he was drafted in to Alex Premat's seat in the main game, who was unable to recover after his coolsuit failed in the oppressive heat of the Saturday race. 2013 sees him acquire a full time drive with the Fujitsu Racing Garry Rogers Motorsport outfit. The faith shown by GRM has already been substantiated by winning the 4th race at the Australian F1 Grand Prix and now Pukekohe in the main V8 Supercar show. Despite his crash and subsequent retirement in the Sunday race at Pukekohe, Saturday's race was a drive mature beyond his years to convert an encouraging grid position into an emphatic win.
    But how will Scott McLaughlin fair once V8 Supercars descends upon the super circuits like Phillip Island and Mt Panorama where experience is invaluable? Will the challenge from GRM be sustained throughout the season spearheaded by Scott McLaughlin and quickly improving Frenchman, Alex Premat? Whilst McLaughlin might appear to be having the time of his life,  innocently smiling his way through events, underneath is a steely racer who rarely makes mistakes, all the time appreciating the opportunities afforded to him. He's been compared to a young Craig Lowndes. But will McLaughlin and Premat promote GRM to the fore of V8 Supercars and upset the likes of Red Bull, FPR and HRT? Let formulafrontrow.com know what you think. Send us an email at: greenflag@formulafrontrow.com or simply leave a comment.
    Congratulations to Jason Bright and Brad Jones Racing for winning the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy at Pukekohe. Couldn't think of any team more fitting than JR's former team, who perennially display the JR Star on their cars, that ended up winning the trophy. Well done.

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