What makes a G.O.A.T?
A dash of talent? A sprinkle of hard work? A dollop of impressing the boss, maybe?
Our very own Jamie ‘JDub’ Whincup has nailed the formula, and with seven titles and 119 wins to his name, it’s a perfect time to sit down and reflect on the champion’s humbling beginnings.
Speaking on Greg Rust’s ‘Rusty’s Garage’ podcast, team owner Roland ‘RD’ Dane reminisced on the champ’s entry into his team, explaining the talent he saw in JDub which he was eager to capitalise on.
“Since the beginning of 2005 we had Craig (Lowndes) on board and that had been a massive part of the transformation of the team. Having him buy into the dream and then having him start winning races with was massive for everyone in the team.
“At that stage, I had to do something to try and put together a crew that would be capable of winning Bathurst. Not everyone used to pair their drivers up in those days, so I wanted somebody who was really good to drive with Craig, but who also would be a young Australasian driver who would appeal to the local market and was a half-generation younger than Craig who also had potential.
“I spoke to about three people on the short list: Frosty (Mark Winterbottom), Davo (Will Davison) and Jamie. To be honest, the one who jumped up hardest, highest and fastest was Jamie,” RD said.
Eager to sign on the young gun, RD joked about the hurdles, albeit small, he had to jump to get JDub on board.
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RD-Image-1.jpg)
“I think he thought it was a wind up when he got a call from me. He was driving in ’05 for another very good friend of mine, Tim Miles (Triple Eight Race Engineering co-owner) but he was out of a drive at the end of the year.
“He couldn’t get on a plane fast enough and said he didn’t care about the money, or at least said he didn’t care, so I didn’t pay him very much if he didn’t care about it,” joked RD.
“He was ready, willing and able but we had been particularly impressed by his driving in the two enduros both at Sandown and Bathurst with Jason Richards. He’d done exactly what he’d been asked to do at those two races, and we needed somebody who could do that.
“In December that year, we had a test day where Jamie came up and drove the car at Queensland Raceway, and to be honest within 10 laps we were looking at his brake traces saying, ‘this guy’s going to be special’.”
So, what did JDub have to do to get Triple Eight race ready?
“He needed to lose a bit of weight and get fitter, but he was going to be special.”
We can imagine RD was subtle when telling JDub this…
RD’s evaluation of JW’s success thus far is based on one main contributor: hard bloody work.
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/the-goat-1.jpg)
“Jamie’s success has been built around his work ethic. He’s not a driver that can just get in the car, go flat out then go and do something else – that’s just not Jamie’s methodology.
“I don’t want to take anything away from his natural talent because it’s huge but his success at the top level is because he works hard at it. He wants to know what’s going on, he wants to understand it, he wants to prepare himself properly, he wants to put himself in the right mental frame of mind before he gets in the car.
“His preparation has developed over the years because he’s seen a reward for it and he’s done better as a result of it. He’s worked harder than, I suspect, any other driver in pit lane for the success he’s had, but the success has come because he’s worked so hard,” said RD.
The former kid from Melbourne’s northern suburbs currently sits on 498 Supercars race starts, with the Supercars season postponed until June. The Supercars All Stars Eseries begins on April 8, with drivers racing at Phillip Island and Monza circuits for race one.
Share this Story
More Like This
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JM2_1619-300x200.jpg)
Super sunset closes a mixed weekend for the Bulls in Sydney
Sydney SuperNight: Practice 1 Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying (Race 16) – Seventh (1:30.1488)Top Ten Shootout – Sixth (1:30.3345)Race 16 – ThirdDrivers’ Championship Standings – First (1746
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/009A0434-300x200.jpg)
Bulls battle through the night during first Sydney race
Sydney SuperNight: Qualifying, Top Ten Shootout & Race 15 Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying (Race 15) – Eighth (1:30.3270)Top Ten Shootout – Eighth (1:30.5313)Race 15 – SixthDrivers’ Championship
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/009A9928-300x200.jpg)
Bulls relish first session under lights in Sydney
Sydney SuperNight: Practice 1 Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 1 – 4th (1:30.831) “I feel like we’re in the mix. Obviously, being in
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Team_RBAR-EV06-24-MH1_4232-300x200.jpg)
Sydney Motorsport Park to play host to its own Running of the Bulls
Like it’s almost meant to be, Sydney is about to face its own Running of The Bulls, as our very own look to stampede into
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EV06-24-MH1_6082-300x200.jpg)
Triple Eight welcomes new strategic ownership, farewells Jessica Dane
Triple Eight welcomes Earl Evans and Steve Blackmore, who have purchased a combined 30% equity stake in the team. Both Earl and Steve will join
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MH2_1800-300x200.jpg)
Bulls left wounded after bruising weekend in Townsville
In what was one of the more humbling weekends in the 2024 Supercars Championship, the team departs Far North Queensland with a renewed resolve to
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Townsville-Feature-Image-300x200.jpg)
BFeen finishes Top Ten, Will a wounded Bull in Townsville finale
Sunday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 14 – 17th (1:13.9198)Race 14 – 24thDrivers’ Championship Standings – First (1515 points) “The whole day was
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Townsvile-Release-Image-1-300x200.jpg)
Will charges through for Podium finish, BFeen P7 in The Ville
Saturday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 13 – 13th (1:13.7028)Race 13 – ThirdDrivers’ Championship Standings – First (1482 points) “I was pretty happy
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MH2_5436-300x200.jpg)
Bulls to take Townsville by the horns
Hold onto your seats (and maybe the edge of them too) as the Bulls charge through the 2024 season into picturesque Townsville! Be prepared, we’ve
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH1_4237-300x200.jpg)
Murray impresses with Shootout appearance in Supercars debut
Darwin Triple Crown: Qualifying, Top Ten Shootout & Race 12 Results Cooper Murray – Car #888Qualifying, Race 12 – Fifth (1:06.0282)Top Ten Shootout– 10th (1:06.8490)Race 12 – 25th
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/088-Feeney-EV05-24-MH2_7227-300x200.jpg)
Back-to-back BFeen dominates Darwin, Brown celebrates double-podium
Darwin Triple Crown: Qualifying, Top Ten Shootout & Race 12 Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 12 – First (1:05.7066)Top Ten Shootout – Third (1:06.0687)Race 12 –
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MH2_3662-300x200.jpg)
Fastest lap secured by Murray in Supercars debut
Darwin Triple Crown: Practice 2 & Race 11 Results Cooper Murray – Car #888Practice 1 – 18th (1:07.0465)Race 11 – 22nd “It was a lot of mixed
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MH2_7901-300x200.jpg)
BFeen claims victory, Brown podiums in Darwin opener
Darwin Triple Crown: Practice 2, Top Ten Shootout & Race 11 Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 2 – First (1:06.2120)Top Ten Shootout – Sixth (1:06.6033)Race 11 –
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Darwin-Export-3-18-300x200.jpg)
Cooper Murray relishes first day at Hidden Valley
Darwin Triple Crown: Practice 1 & Qualifying Results Cooper Murray – Car #888Practice 1 – 24th (1:07.1453)Qualifying, Race 11 – 23rd (1:06.4834) “The first session was really good
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Team_RBAR-EV05-24-DJI_20240613122603_0028_D-300x225.jpg)
The Bulls shootout bound in the Top End
Darwin Triple Crown: Practice 1 & Qualifying Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 1 – First (1:06.4153)Qualifying, Race 11 – Fifth (1:05.9017) Broc Feeney – Car #88Practice
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EV05-24-MH2_7984-300x200.jpg)
Red Bull Ampol Racing reveal Clontarf Academy-designed Indigenous livery
Red Bull Ampol Racing have unveiled their stunning Indigenous liveries for the upcoming Darwin Triple Crown, designed by the amazingly talented students of Gunnedah’s Clontarf
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/888-Murray-EV05-24-MH2_7838-300x200.jpg)
Supercheap Auto Racing reveals heartfelt Darwin Indigenous livery
Triple Eight Race Engineering and Supercheap Auto have unveiled a special wildcard Indigenous livery for the upcoming Darwin Triple Crown, in conjunction with HeartKids Australia.
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH1_4431-300x200.jpg)
Supercheap Auto Racing eyes Darwin after first test day
Cooper Murray – Car #888 “Today has been great. We’ve been getting through our program and I’ve been getting used to driving the Gen3 Camaro
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH1_3449-300x200.jpg)
Double podium for Will, BFeen P7 in Perth finale
Sunday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 3 – Third (0:55.0792)Qualifying, Race 10 – Third (0:54.5968)Race 10 – ThirdDrivers’ Championship Standings – First (1081 points) “Qualifying went really well
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EV04-24-MH1_0477-300x200.jpg)
Brown podiums, Feeney P5 in Perth opener
Saturday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 2 – First (0:54.9036)Qualifying, Race 9 – Fourth (0:54.7452)Race 9 – SecondDrivers’ Championship Standings – First (952 points) “We had a good
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH2_1714-300x200.jpg)
BFeen & Will complete Practice 1 in the West
Friday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 1 – 18th (0:55.8062) “I think we made the car better throughout today’s practice session. We didn’t roll out
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH2_8344-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls bounce back to claim one-two finish in Taupo thriller
Sunday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 8 – Third (1:27.1220)Top Ten Shootout – Fifth (1:26.9602)Race 8 – FirstDrivers’ Championship Standings – First (809 points) “It was a
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH1_0564-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls battle through soaked Taupo opener
Saturday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 7 – Seventh (1:28.3049)Top Ten Shootout – Second (1:35.2426)Race 7 – Ninth Drivers’ Championship Standings – First (659 points) “It was a
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MH2_9069-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls charge through their first laps in Taupo
Friday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 1 – Fifth (1:26.6121) “It was a positive practice session overall. I think all the changes we made
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/088-Feeney-EV02-24-MH2_4960-300x200.jpg)
NZ, we missed you!
New Zealand we’ve missed you! The Bulls are amped to be heading back to race in New Zealand. Head over to the RBAR Insta to see BFeen
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tanner_SCA_888_Wildcard_2024_038-300x200.jpg)
Supercheap Auto Racing launches with striking new livery, commits to 2025 wildcard program
Triple Eight Race Engineering and Supercheap Auto have officially launched their fourth consecutive Supercars Championship wildcard entry in front of a roaring crowd of fans
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/087-Brown-EV02-24-MH1_0749-300x200.jpg)
Will Brown secures the Larry Perkins Trophy
Sunday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Race 6 – Second Drivers’ Championship Standings – First “Going into today I was pretty keen to get
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Team_RBAR-EV02-24-MH1_9737-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls’ winning streak continues at Albert Park
Saturday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 5 – Sixth (1:46.8726)Qualifying, Race 6 – Ninth (1:46.888.7)Race 5 – Second Drivers’ Championship Standings –
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JM1_0853-300x200.jpg)
Brown Reclaims Championship lead after Race 4 win
Friday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Race 4 – First Drivers’ Championship Standings – First (447 points) “It was great to get the lead
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MH2_8534-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls charge to a one-two finish at Albert Park
Thursday Results Will Brown – Car #87 Practice 1 – 15th (1:48.4583)Practice 2 – Seventh (1:47.8312)Qualifying, Race 3 – Fourth (1:47.9840)Qualifying, Race 4- Second (1:47.5969)Race
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MH1_2366-300x200.jpg)
Did someone say Grand Prix?
Here we go again, another year in the glitz and glam of the Australian Grand Prix which plays host to round two of the 2024
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RBAR-MH1_4470-300x200.jpg)
Luminox Announces Exciting Partnership with Red Bull Ampol Racing
Australia, Sydney 20th February 2024 – Luminox is thrilled to announce its partnership with Red Bull Ampol Racing, one of the most successful teams in
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Podium-EV01-24-MH2_0157-300x200.jpg)
The champagne celebrations continue for Red Bull Ampol Racing
Sunday Result Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 2 – Second (2:05.3993)Top Ten Shootout – Third (2:06.7237)Race 2 – First “Getting pole the shootout
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EV01-24-SK2_2123-1-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls dominate at the mountain
Saturday Result Will Brown – Car #87 Qualifying, Race 1 – Second (2:06.2855)Top Ten Shootout – First (2:06.3740)Race 1 – Second “It was an awesome day and
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MH2_1356-2-300x200.jpg)
Bulls on Top After Practice Day in Bathurst
Friday Result Will Brown, Car #87 Practice 1 – Third (2:08.5702)Practice 2– First (2:07.5507) “Everything went really well today; it was a smooth day. We kept the car
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RBAR-24-MH1_6459-300x200.jpg)
Why one Bathurst when you can have two?
Why just one race at Bathurst when you can have two? The bulls are heading into the season opener for 2024 and we are charging
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JM1_0080-2-300x200.jpg)
A Gruelling Finish For National Storage Racing
Sunday Results: Race Results: Sixth Overall and in Class Quotes: Broc Feeney, Driver, National Storage Racing “To be honest, I don’t really know what to
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JM1_5015-300x200.jpg)
National Storage Racing to Start Bathurst 12-hour in First Row
Saturday Results: Practice 5 – Sixth (2:04.1645) Practice 6 – Second (2:03.0965) Qualifying – First (2:01.8911) Shootout – Second Quotes: Broc Feeney, Driver, National Storage
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RAFF3453-300x200.jpg)
Triple Eight welcomes Cooper Murray to Supercheap Auto Racing
Triple Eight Race Engineering is thrilled to announce the signing of Cooper Murray, who will join the team’s driving roster and planned continuation of our
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MH2_0700-300x200.jpg)
Red Bull Ampol Racing’s 2024 livery ‘lands’ in Toowoomba
Red Bull Ampol Racing has revealed its stunning 2024 Supercars Championship liveries that will feature on the team’s two Gen3 Chevrolet Camaros in front of
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/12Hr-Livery-MH1_3522-300x200.jpg)
Triple Eight reveals National Storage-backed 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour Pro entry
Triple Eight Race Engineering have revealed their striking Pro entry for the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour, scheduled for February 16-18. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Livery-Landing-Socials-V1-16_9-300x169.jpg)
Red Bull Ampol Racing announce ‘Livery Landing’ featuring new driver Will Brown
Red Bull Ampol Racing is thrilled to announce the date of their 2024 season launch and livery reveal, held a Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport, the home
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KB2_7407-300x200.jpg)
BFeen podiums in Adelaide as Triple Eight farewell SVG
Broc Feeney – Car #88Qualifying, Race 28 – Fourth (01:19.4097)Top Ten Shootout – Fifth (01:19.6827)Race 28 – Second Championship standings – Third (2441 points) Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97Qualifying, Race 28 – 15th (01:19.7305)Race 28 – DNF Championship standings –
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/097-vanGisbergen-EV12-23-MH1_1544-300x200.jpg)
Heartbreak for SVG, BFeen closes gap in Teams’ Championship
Broc Feeney – Car #88Practice 3 – 20th (01:20.3308)Race 27 – Fifth Championship standings – Third (2303 points) Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97Practice 3 – 17th (01:20.1928)Top Ten Shootout – Sixth (01:20.1034)Race 27 – DNF Championship standings – Second (2565 points)
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/097-vanGisbergen-EV12-23-MH2_7035-300x200.jpg)
SVG shootout bound, Feeney P11 for ADL500 opener
Broc Feeney – Car #88Practice 2 – 22nd (01:20.4374)Qualifying, Race 27 – 11th (01:19.4113) Championship standings – Fourth (2192 points) Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97Practice 2 – Tenth (01:19.8083)Qualifying, Race 27 – Fourth (01:19.2084) Championship standings – Second (2565 points)
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/097-vanGisbergen-EV11-23-MH2_5661-300x200.jpg)
The countdown has begun
The time has come, the bulls are amped up to charge at this weekends Adelaide 500 event. Marking the final race of the 2023 Supercars
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/088-Feeney-EV11-23-MH2_9963-300x200.jpg)
Top tens for both Bulls at the GC500 finale
Broc Feeney – Car #88 Qualifying, Race 26 – 13th (01:10.8982) Race 26 – Eighth Championship standings – Fourth (2192 points) Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97 Qualifying, Race 26 – Fourth (01:10.5209) Top Ten
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MH1_9792-300x200.jpg)
SVG secures Triple Eight’s 500th Supercars podium at Surfers Paradise
Broc Feeney – Car #88Qualifying, Race 25 – 21st (01:11.6825)Race 25 – 14th Championship standings – Third (2102 points) Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97Qualifying, Race 25 – Fifth (01:10.9863)Top Ten Shootout – Third (01:11.1544)Race 25 – Second Championship standings –
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MH2_9295-300x200.jpg)
The Bulls battle through wet and wild practice at Surfers Paradise
Friday 27/10 Broc Feeney Car #88Practice 1 – 18th (01:12.5686)Practice 2 – 13th (01:11.4379) Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97Practice 1 – Fourth (01:11.9035)Practice 2 – First (01:10.6673) Broc Feeney – Car
![](https://www.redbullampolracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Team_RBAR-EV10-23-MH2_5814-300x200.jpg)
Time to bring the heat
It’s finally time to hit the streets of the Goldie, aka, BFeens stomping ground. This weekend is the Gold Coast 500, one of the more