KEY POINTS:
BAHRAIN - A disastrous weekend at last year's Desert 400 saw Jamie Whincup's V8 Supercar championship dream quickly evaporate into little more than a mirage.
But the 2008 series leader has passionately vowed not to let the same chance slip when the championship returns to Bahrain this weekend.
The Ford hotshot came to the Middle East last year leading the championship, but he failed to collect a single point in a weekend marred by poor qualifying and drive through penalties.
It proved a fatal blow, given he went on to finish second just two points behind Garth Tander.
Whincup admits he "choked" under the pressure but says he is now mentally stronger and fully aware this year's championship is his to lose.
"It does play on my mind because last year was a shocker," Whincup said today as the drivers continued preparations at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
"But, with the hurdles we've overcome to get back here, there's no way I'm going to throw it away again.
"There's just been too much hard work done this year."
Whincup (2616 points) leads a three-way charge for the title also including fellow Ford driver Mark Winterbottom (2541) and Holden's reigning champion Tander (2510), with three events to go.
While harbouring nothing but respect for his nearest rivals, Whincup is blunt about who is hungriest for the title.
"I want this more than they do," said Whincup, who made a clean sweep of the last round at Surfers Paradise a fortnight ago.
"This is my whole life.
"I don't have a missus for a reason - it's not going to make me quicker.
"I don't want anything else, all I want is a championship, that's my main priority."
Whincup said the drivers were delighted to return to the island nation in the Persian Gulf for the third instalment of the event because of both its "unique atmosphere" and the world-class track.
According to officials, the event is attracting an increased level of local interest, with ticket sales up 50 per cent on last year.
The locals will even have one of their own to cheer on with Team Kiwi recruiting local driver Fahad Al Musalam for the round.
The Desert 400 remains a huge financial and logistical exercise for the BIC.
The massive airlift of the 31 cars, spare parts, engines and equipment - valued at more than A$26 million combined - costs in excess of US$1 million (A$1.46 million).
The event gets underway tomorrow (late Thursday night AEDT) with practice sessions before qualifying and race one on Friday and the two final races on Saturday.
The notorious heat in the region has subsided with conditions comfortable and temperatures not expected to reach above 28 degrees Celsius over the weekend.
- AAP
