Supercars drivers pondering if wet weather could throw Scott McLaughlin off his game can think again.
The championship leader will be gunning for a fourth consecutive race win on Sunday when the Perth Supersprint continues.
After perfect conditions on Saturday when McLaughlin drove to an emphatic victory at Barbagallo Raceway, day two could be far different.
There is a 95 per cent chance of rain predicted leading into the 83-lap race, but McLaughlin has thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals declaring he can win in any conditions.
« I feel comfortable both wet or dry, » McLaughlin said.
It will be a bit of a wildcard if it’s raining in practice but we’ll just throw wets (tyres) on and go. »
An unpredictable race may be the only chance someone can knock the New Zealand star off his pedestal.
By backing up his pair of victories at the Phillip Island 500 two weeks ago, McLaughlin pushed ahead to a 119-point lead in the championship.
Erebus Motorsport’s David Reynolds headed to Western Australia only 60 points behind McLaughlin but a shocking 17th-place result saw Shane van Gisbergen move back to second.
The difference this season compared with last, when Jamie Whincup clinched his seventh championship from McLaughlin in a dramatic final race, is he is converting his pole positions.
The 24-year-old had a 50 per cent strike rate from his qualifying dominance, winning eight races.
McLaughlin’s only blemish when starting in pole this year came in race three of the Melbourne 400 when he finished a disappointing 15th.
But four wins from 11 races this season has pushed him 220 points ahead of Whincup, who endured a difficult first race in Perth.
The Red Bull Holden veteran received a five-second penalty after nudging Chaz Mostert on lap 33 that caused the Ford driver to spin out, meaning he placed 11th.
« Tagging Chaz, I was just trying to judge it and I’ve just nicked him, » Whincup said.
« I went up and apologised straight away but it cost us five spots. We should have been good for sixth there. »
Sunday’s race is 83 laps and will get underway at 2.15pm (4.15pm AEST).
http://www.espn.com/v8-supercars/story/_/id/23414430/supercars-mclaughlin-unfazed-wet
