We’re back! Episode 1 of Stay Tuned was a hit and we were so excited to get in the studio for the next episode. What better way than to sit down with none other than supercar champ Jamie Whincup?
In this episode, Jamie shares the exhilarating highs, the challenging lows, and the mentality that has fuelled his unparalleled success in the world of V8 Supercars. What’s more? We also explore our newfound partnership with Jamie’s team, Triple 8 Racing, and the exciting future in designing and manufacturing parts for Toyotas.
This episode promises to offer listeners an engaging and comprehensive view of the motorsport world and the inside scoop of how Whincup’s passion and dedication drove him through various challenges and setbacks, getting him to where he is today!
Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan or just curious about the man behind the wheel, this episode has something for everyone – get a sneak peek here!
Who Is Jamie Whincup?
When it comes to Supercars, the numbers speak for themselves! Jamie Whincup is a legendary seven-time champion with 125 race wins to his name.
From the Gold Coast, QLD, Whincup’s journey to the top began with an exceptional talent and passion for karting. His speed and skill on the track quickly propelled him into Formula Ford in 2000, where he was crowned Australian champion just two years later.
Whincup then made his Supercars debut at the Queensland 500 in 2002 where his performance earned him a full-time seat the following year, setting the stage for a challenging, but illustrious career. After dominating the sport for nearly two decades, Jamie retired from full-time racing in 2021, passing the torch to Broc Feeney.
A Look At His Early Days
Whincup’s passion for motorsport sparked at a young age, influenced by his family’s involvement in racing. His uncle was a sport sedan driver, racing across Australia and occasionally on the international stage.
At seven, Jamie’s father and uncle bought him his first go-kart. What began as a hobby to occupy his weekend quickly became a passion, with Jamie racing go-karts for over ten years and dedicating an impressive 40 weekends a year to the demanding sport.
The typical transition for most aspiring racers is to go from go-karts to Formula Ford, then to the Super Two development series, before reaching the main game. However, Jamie’s journey was a little different and after a few successful years in Formula Ford, he bypassed Super Two and went straight into the main game in 2002, securing a seat with Gary Rogers.
Racing Isn’t Just About Driving
Jamie’s journey to supercar champ was not without its challenges. From facing financial challenges in his formative years, Whincup also faced a rocky start after his transition from Formula Ford. The increased horsepower and different vehicle setup presented a learning curve, pushing him to find the limits of both his abilities and car.
Unfortunately, Whincup’s struggles on the track saw him knocked out at the end of his first year, with doubts of his ability to make the most of the opportunities presented to him. But, racing was always more than a career, and it was this passion that pushed him to defy the odds.
Despite these setbacks, he refused to let these obstacles define him. Confident (or “a little arrogant” as Whincup would describe himself) in his skills, ad knowing that he had what it took to success, his perseverance earned him the opportunity of a test drive with Larry Perkins, and another full-time gig.
Beyond Whincup
In addition to his remarkable journey in motorsport, Matt and Jamie get into various other fascinating topics. From reflecting on his inspirations for the sport, insights into racing conditions and how rain affects driving dynamics to discussing his favourite tracks and racing moments, we find out everything there is to know about the man behind the wheel.
He also shares his ambitions and decision not to pursue opportunities in the international circuit and how mental preparation and confidence is key to success on the track. We also get a sneak peek into life beyond the car, with rapid-fire FAQs.
A Look At Just Autos & Tripple 8
With a love for the sport, Jamie knew that he still wanted to stay involved in motorsport which led him to invest in Triple 8 and eventually became a team owner. Triple Eight’s approach to improving race car performance is known for its meticulous approach to vehicle optimisation and are always looking for ways to improve race day performance.
Unlike teams that simply purchase components, Triple Eight boasts a full design and manufacturing team, allowing them to create bespoke solutions tailored to their needs. In Stay Tuned, we take a look at the newfound partnership between Just Autos and Triple 8, when it come to designing and manufacturing performance parts for client Toyota’s.
As performance enthusiasts, Just Autos has always excelled at analysing data. But is the mission to give our clients the best of the best, we partnered with Triple 8 for a comprehensive look into their design and manufacturing processes. This partnership started when we sought to address the surging issues with the intake pipe on the 300 series.
Triple 8 and Just Autos share a commitment and passion for excellence. Throughout this episode, Matt and Jamie discuss the importance of reliability, performance and budget when it comes to R&D and a host of other exciting topics – watch the full episode here!
