One Of The Greats Or V8 Supercars' Greatest?

Jamie Whincup, Red Bull Australia Triple Eight Racing, SMP400. (C)

    An eventful 2014 V8 Supercar season is nearing completion with just the Sydney 500 still to be contested around the tight, concrete wall lined Homebush street circuit. With little more than one second covering the entire field in qualifying, the racing has been frenetic, resulting in something like fourteen different winners (we've actually lost count) across this season's races. However, as we always say, the cream always rises to the top. Despite not having been officially crowned yet, Red Bull Racing Australia's Jamie Whincup has just captured an unprecedented sixth V8 Supercar championship. An incredible achievement!
    Following on from Whincup attaining an unassailable lead after the penultimate round at Phillip Island, we began to ponder the gravity of winning six titles and his standing in Australia's premier tin-top category. It's beyond debate that he's one of the greats, and whilst it's difficult to compare eras, is Jamie Whincup now our greatest V8 Supercar driver to date?
    Whincup's rise to the top has been somewhat meteoric. Numerous rookie and junior karting state titles through 1991-97 preceded senior titles including FMK Senior International A Karting Series in 1998, prompting Kart Oz Magazine to name him Karter Of The Year. After claiming a 1999 Formula A Series kart championship, he moved on to Formula Ford in 2000, finishing third in his debut season. After demoralising all comers in 2002 in Formula Ford with Sonic Motorsport, he made the big step straight to V8 Supercars in 2002 with Garry Rogers Motorsport. 2005 saw him acquire a full time drive in V8's with Tasman Motorsport and in 2006 moved on to Triple Eight where he remains to this day. 
    V8 Supercar titles driving a Ford in 2008 and 2009 and driving a Holden in 2011, 2012, 2013 and now 2014 makes Whincup the first to win titles for both Ford and Holden since Norm Beechey. Complementing his six titles are three Sandown 500 wins, four Bathurst 1000 wins and the coveted Barry Sheene Award for best and fairest in 2007 and 2008.
    We mentioned that it's difficult to compare eras, but Jamie Whincup's achievements to date are nothing short of remarkable. Can he now be mentioned in the same sentence with similar reverence as three time Australian Touring Car champion, nine time Sandown and Bathurst winner and V8 Supercar Hall Of Famer who was (and still is) hugely popular with the Australian public? His name is Peter Brock. A contentious issue for some, but the scary prospect is, Whincup is still relatively young. How much more will he achieve before he hangs up his racing boots?
    See you at the Sydney 500. Ciao....
    
    
     

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