Shop
Dual V8 Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup says that the prospect of a ‘V8 Grand Slam’ is so tough that he doesn’t expect any driver to ever take out the cashed-up crown.
The V8 Grand Slam is a concept that will see a driver win as much as $2.5 million in prize money if they take victory at all of V8 Supercars’ four marquee events – the Clipsal 500, Supercheap Auto 1000, Gold Coast SuperCARnivale and the Sydney Telstra 500 – all in a calendar year.
The #1 TeamVodafone driver told Speedcafe.com.au that V8 Supercars can save themselves the hassle of making up a novelty-sized cheque, because it will never be awarded.
“I think it’s unrealistic. I can’t see anyone winning the Grand Slam,” he said.
“I’ve even thought to myself that I’ll match the offer! I just don’t think anyone can do it.
“The championship is just too tight these days. I don’t think anyone is that good that they can win all of those events. That’s just a massive, massive order. One of those events is hard to win, let alone the whole lot. Honestly, I can’t see anyone ever winning it.”
Whincup said that if he entered the last round of the championship in Sydney with a chance to win the championship and the Grand Slam, he’d consider the title being of more value.
“You’d go out there and try and win the race, which in turn would win you both,” he said.
“I’m not a greedy person, but you’d have a go at the last round going for the win anyway.
“What’s more important? Without doubt, definitely the championship. $2.5 million – plenty of people have that in the world, but not many people have a V8 Supercar championship. To me, that’s more value than any dollar figure.
But if he did win the huge cash prize, he says he’d treat his team to a week of well-earned pleasure.
“I’d get the whole team together and we’d all go overseas and run a muck somewhere,” he says.
“I think we’d try and blow as much cash as we can in expensive motels and nights out on the town.”
