Jamie Whincup’s lack of experience outside of V8 Supercars racing will mean that he’ll “get smashed” in the Race of Champions event, according to the man himself.
The runaway V8 Supercars Championship leader will compete against some of the world’s best drivers in Thailand this December, driving a range of different vehicles.
Seven drivers have been announced thus far, including Whincup, fellow Australian Mike Doohan, plus Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, David Coulthard and MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo.
This is the second time that Whincup has been invited to the end of season event, but the first time he has been available to compete, as his preference was not to race during the V8 season.
Regardless, Whincup is keeping his expectations in check, acknowledging that his past 10 years of motorsport have been confined to one category of race car.
“I’m not setting my expectations too high. I personally think I’m going to get smashed by most of the boys who have done it before,” Whincup told Spoeedcafe.com.
Buy tickets
“I’ve had very little experience in anything other than V8 Supercars. I’m not setting my expectations too high.
“Please, to everyone reading this, don’t think I’m going to of there are set the world on fire. It’s all about having a bit of fun.
“I’ll have a crack, but for me, it will be great to get to drive a range of different cars.”
Whincup current leads the V8 Supercars Championship by 298 points and with two events remaining at Winton and Sydney, is in a position to wrap up the title before the season finale.
If Whincup does achieve that, it will be the first time since 2002 that the title has been secured before the final event.
The TeamVodafone star says that he will turn the Race of Champions event into an end of season trip for some of his closest friends.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, ever since I got invited back in 2009,” Whincup said.
“I’m already booking flights in and getting sorted.
“This year, being mid-December, it’s the perfect opportunity to go over there and have some fun.
“I’m going to drag some of the crew over there and I’m sure we’ll find a few different ways to have a good time.”
