We get flooded with questions from you guys, our awesome fans, every week, so we thought we’d compile some of the most frequently asked ones into one cosy Q&A session with some of Red Bull Racing Australia’s key peeps. First up, JDub!
How does it feel having the various records and numbers to your name?
To be honest, it’s not something I focus on and or think about. Winning six championships hasn’t really sunk in yet. I was stoked with one and everything else has been a bonus, but maybe one day when I’m old and grey it’ll hit me. It’ll definitely be a cool story to tell the grandkids.
What’s your most memorable race win?
Race One of Clipsal 2012 will stay with me for a long time. My good mate Davo (Will Davison) and I were battling down to the wire. The car was unbelievable and we were producing qualy lap after qualy lap and eventually took the lead on the last lap. It was also the first race since losing my father, so that made the win even more special.
What keeps you motivated?
V8 Supercars is a really exciting category to be in as it’s continually evolving. In 2013 we had the Car of the Future and in 2017 we open up to other engine configurations, so each time it’s like a fresh start and a new challenge, so that’s great for motivation.
How do you train for racing and stay fit?
I love being outdoors, whether that’s on the water, my pushbike or just going for a run. Our sport is very much about endurance, so that’s what drivers’ training usually revolves around, but we also do some weight training as well to maintain strength.
Do you follow a specific diet?
As an athlete, it’s obviously important to have a good, balanced diet as much as possible. I’m not on a specific diet, and I love my dessert at race weekends, but I just try to maintain a healthy, high protein diet.
Will you ever race overseas or in a different category?
I’ve done the Race of Champions a couple of times, which is a fantastic event. I’ve been to Thailand and Barbados to do that, but it’s at the end of the season, so it doesn’t distract me from anything going on here. V8 Supercars is my priority and I’m the kind of guy who likes to put 100% into everything I do, and the same goes for racing in a different category. I don’t want to go in there without giving myself and whichever team it is the very best chance of winning, and to do that I need to give it my full attention, which I can’t do during the season as our calendar is so busy. Hopefully in the future there’s an opportunity as I’d love to try my hand at a few different things.
What’s your favourite race track?
You can’t go past Bathurst. We’re incredibly lucky to have one of the most iconic race tracks in the world right here in Australia. It’s an amazing piece of road and I’ll never forget crossing the line to win the 50th anniversary of the Great Race.
What’s your favourite event?
The Clipsal 500 is always an awesome way to kick off the year. The whole city gets behind the event and the atmosphere is unbeatable. The track is fantastic and always produces excellent racing.
What would be on your road trip playlist?
It depends where I’m going and what I’m in the mood for. I’ve got everything on my iTunes from Hootie and the Blowfish to Kanye West, but I’d say there would definitely be some Pearl Jam and Snoop Dogg in the mix.
How do you spend your time when you’re not racing?
Although we race 15 weekends a year, my schedule is still full on in between rounds. During the breaks between races, my diary is always packed with sponsor appearances, media commitments and other appointments. I travel a lot for these, so that takes up time as well. I also try to get to the workshop as much as I can to see the guys, help on the car and plan for the next race with Cauchi, my engineer.