Queensland maintained their dominance of State of Origin this week with eight straight series wins and parochial Maroons supporter J-Dub plans to extend that doman888ion for Queenlanders everywhere by claiming another win for the Maroons at Queensland Raceway in eight days’ time.
With Crackers and a host of other Red Bull athletes including Julian Wilson, Jonny Durand and Courtney Atkinson, J-Dub donned the Maroons jersey – and wig – on the Wednesday night past to spur on the Queenslanders to victory.
And after taking Fatty Vautin and The Footy Show crew for a ride day experience they’ll never forget on last night’s program, J-Dub is more pumped than ever to show that gritty Queensland spirit at Red Bull Racing Australia’s home track.
Yeah, yeah, so J-Dub’s from Victoria. But like many Melbournians he couldn’t resist a move to Queensland almost a decade ago and proved on Wednesday night where his true loyalties lie.
And with Red Bull Racing Australia HQ just by Brisbane airport, the Ipswich 360 is the team and J-Dub’s home round.
“And hopefully we’ll get that home ground advantage like the footy teams do,” J-Dub said with a grin.
“Look, it’s a track we know really well and only tested at this week and hopefully we can get some local support out there. Of course, our team represents Australia but being based in Brisbane, this is our home track and a track we know better than most. So we’ll be flying the flag not just for Red Bull Racing Australia but maybe a sneaky one for the Maroons, too.”
With a bird’s eye – and brown eye – view of the now infamous Origin streaker, J-Dub and Crackers were treated to an experience they’ll never forget. And with new components to the VF Commodores after testing, the two are hoping they can treat Red Bull fans in South East Queensland to another victory they won’t soon forget.
“The Origin experience was phenomenal – the crowds, the contests the atmosphere,” J-Dub continued.
“I guess Bathurst is the closest we get to something like that but man, it’d be great to start building something at QR to really get the parochial thing going on.
“It’s already Holden v Ford v Mercedes and Nissan, but if we could play on the state rivalry too with the Queensland teams against the rest, I reckon it’d be great.”
And what of his chances next week after a round he’d sooner rather forget in Townsville?
“Yeah, look, it wasn’t a great round for us and we had a lot of work to do in testing but hey, we made some progress and tried a few things and hopefully we’ll bear the fruits of that next weekend,” J-Dub says.
“Lowndsey’s not far behind and I know he’s hungry and has a great record at QR, so it’s going to be a big weekend for the championship coming up to the Enduros.
“I can’t wait.”
V8 Supercars will descend on Ipswich next Thursday with practice to take place Friday before race one on Saturday and a further two races on Sunday. J-Dub currently leads the series from Lowndesy with a points differential of 111 points.
