Whincup out to end 12-year Bathurst 1000 drought

Jamie Whincup is hoping to break a more than a decade-long Bathurst 1000 duck at Mount Panorama. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Supercars legend Jamie Whincup won't give up on racing for a fifth Bathurst 1000 win, remaining bent on ending his 12-year-long drought.

Pairing up with Triple Eight star Broc Feeney, 41-year-old Whincup wound back the clock on Thursday to open the weekend and set the fastest lap time of the co-drivers ahead of Sunday's race.

The seven-time Supercars champion last claimed the Peter Brock Trophy in 2013 and his most recent outing to Mount Panorama with Feeney ended in heartbreak.

Young talent Feeney was left in tears after experiencing gearbox issues on lap 137 when he and Whincup were placed second before finishing 23rd.

Bent on finding redemption after placing as runners-up to championship leader Will Brown and Scott Pye at last month's Sandown 500, Whincup is out to go full-throttle yet again.

"Obviously, 12 years is a long time. I've been trying pretty hard to cross the line," Whincup said.

"I'm going to keep trying, going keep trying to come back up there. I may get another, I may not. Who knows?

"All that matters for me is that we're in contention and contributing to the race so to do that, you need a fast car.

"Hopefully, we've got quick cars and can contribute in some way, shape or form, and the Bathurst gods are on our side this weekend."

Paul Dumbrellf and Jamie Whincup.
Jamie Whincup (R) and Paul Dumbrell celebrate winning the 2012 Bathurst 1000.

Whincup won't be the only driver out to break through for another victory at Mount Panorama.

Seven-time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes, who won three with Whincup (2006, '07, '08), has teamed up with Super2 star Cooper Murray as a wildcard entrant under the Triple Eight banner.

He last claimed an endurance race victory at Mount Panorama in 2018 with Steven Richards.

Lowndes' 32nd consecutive Bathurst 1000 start began slowly, with the 50-year-old placing last in the first practice session.

Murray was able to shoot to the top of the table in the co-drivers slot later on day one, finishing second to Whincup.

The pair finished fifth at Sandown, in what was Murray's first attempt at the Melbourne endurance race.

"It's a great turnaround for us," Lowndes said.

"Cooper did a great job, like, there's no doubt about that. To turn the car around and have the confidence to go across the top of the mountain was really impressive.

"I've got a really good feeling about this weekend after having a good run of Sandown."

Drivers return to the track for two practice sessions before qualifying starts at 4.15pm (AEDT) on Friday.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store