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PM hails Supercars legend Jamie Whincup as Bathurst 1000 roars in action

Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets a real winner in Jamie Whincup before Sunday's Bathurst 1000 classic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets a real winner in Jamie Whincup before Sunday's Bathurst 1000 classic. Photo: Getty

Australian motorsport legend Jamie Whincup has been inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame before the start of the Bathurst 1000.

Just minutes before stepping into his Commodore for his last race before retiring as a full-time driver, the seven-time Supercars champion was honoured on the famous Mount Panorama track.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison inducted Whincup into the Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Peter Brock, Mark Skaife and Dick Johnson in Supercars pantheon.

“A big thank you to our Prime Minister for being here for the biggest day in Australian motorsport,” Whincup said.

“I want to thank friends and family, not must my family, but all the families, especially Queensland, who’ve been away for six to eight weeks, we appreciate the effort to keep the (Supercars) championship going. ”

“Thank you to the fan base, everyone who’s come out, everyone watching at home but, in particular, I’d like to thank my peers.”

Universally respected

Whincup will bow out with the respect of his rivals.

Scott McLaughlin, who won three-straight championships between 2018 and 2020, lauded his former arch-rival from America, where he is now racing in IndyCar.

“J-Dub – grateful to have raced you at your peak,” McLaughlin wrote on Instagram.

“The undisputed GOAT of Supercars. Thanks for making me a better race driver.”

Whincup and co-driver Craig Lowndes started the Great Race from 11th on the grid.

The 38-year-old is second in this year’s championship standings – only behind champion-elect Shane van Gisbergen – with two race wins, three pole positions and 15 podium finishes.

Whincup has recorded 124 career wins, 237 podiums and 92 pole positions – the most by any driver in Supercars history.

He will move straight into management next year when he becomes Triple Eight’s team principal, taking over from Roland Dane.

-AAP

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