ABU DHABI // With the 2010 V8 Supercars championship set to roar into life in Abu Dhabi next month, the reigning champion, Jamie Whincup, says the Australian motorsport series could not have picked a better destination to begin the new season than Yas Marina Circuit. Team Vodafone's Whincup, who was glued to the television as the facility passed its inaugural Formula One examination with flying colours in November, experienced the contours, cambers and corners for himself during a visit to the track on Friday.
Whincup, who was joined in Abu Dhabi by last season's championship runner-up, Will Davidson, said they will return home and start spreading hype ahead of the February 19-20 races. "I had no idea what Abu Dhabi had to offer," said Whincup. "The Yas Marina Circuit is amazing and I can't wait to get back home to tell everyone in the V8 fraternity how fantastic it is over here and what they can look forward to in just over three weeks time."
And with the V8's UAE date followed by Bahrain's Desert 400 a week later, Whincup believes the championship's first-ever double-header in the region is a major plus for what he dubbed a distinctly "Aussie series". "As a sport we're open to new challenges and exciting things," added Whincup. "We need to keep at the top end of international motorsport and this is a fantastic place to come to." The drivers will take part in two 200km races, one on each day of the meeting.
emegson@thenational.ae
