Twenty-year-old V8 Supercars tyro Scott McLaughlin, riding a high from his heroics in Adelaide, has his sights firmly set on success back home at the ITM 500 Auckland at Pukekohe Park Raceway next month.
McLaughlin’s efforts in passing V8 Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup on the final corner for second place in the all-new Volvo at the season opener and his colourful quote on live television went viral through the social media channels.
A few days later, with his jandals firmly planted on the ground, the Kiwi driver has his radar focussed on more success in the sole New Zealand stop on the V8 Supercars Championship at Pukekohe.
“It’s been incredible,” McLaughln said. “My Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have gone crazy. And not just from New Zealand and Australia, but from all around the world.
“But now I am massively looking forward to Pukekohe. I had that amazing race win there last year but we are coming there with a better car and the aero package is pretty good too and we will definitely be a contender.”
McLaughlin, the youngest driver in the Championship, became an overnight sensation not only for his colourful reference to giving his car “some jandal” but the remarkable second placing in the second race at the Clipsal 500 in the debut of Volvo, sandwiched between the all-conquering Red Bull Racing duo of Craig Lowndes and Whincup.
“Definitely my life has changed forever a little bit with the media and social media. I had a lot of support and I want to keep that support. I was signing autographs for the fans out the back of the garage afterwards and I hope it continues. I am living the dream.”
McLaughlin became the youngest ever winner in V8 Supercars when he stood on top of the podium in the first race at Pukekohe last year, with fellow Kiwi drivers Fabian Coulthard and Shane van Gisbergen enjoying success as well.
“We all got podiums in New Zealand last year. It is great for the New Zealand public we have three drivers that are capable of winning races. I hope the fans turn up at Pukekohe again and support it.
“We will all be going hard and we want to be the top Kiwi there and on top of the podium.”
The young Cantabrian, who now lives on the Gold Coast, said while the Adelaide experience will stay with him, his first win on home turf is always the most special.
“Nothing beats being in front of your home fans, with them cheering and waving the New Zealand flag. When I got out of the car last year at Pukekohe when I won it was incredible. Firstly I won the race and secondly I am a Kiwi boy and everyone went crazy.
“That’s something I used to do at Puke with Murph winning there – so it was something very close to my heart.”
McLaughlin said the Valvoline-backed team at Garry Rogers Motorsport is excited after a sensational debut of the new Volvo in Adelaide.
“We have built a really good package. We have had a year to develop the car and now we’ve come out with a good engine and aero package. But it’s only one race and we have to see how it comes out on other races.
“Heading into Pukekohe this year we are a lot more confident because we feel we have the more complete package.”
The ITM 500 Auckland at Pukekohe Park Raceway is a four-day programme over Anzac Weekend on 24-27 April.
Motorsport fans will be able to experience support category action on Thursday 24 April, before an afternoon start on ANZAC Day with V8 Supercars race action including the first 100km race. There will be two further 100km races on Saturday and one 200km race on Sunday.
Grandstand tickets for the extended race programme range from NZ$172 for unreserved seating for four days to NZ$232 for Gold Grandstand covered seating (with amenities and V8 Supercars Paddock Access).
New Zealand will be the fourth stop on the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship calendar.
Go Scott & all the kiwis , can’t wait for puke