Motorsport: Whincup looking like man to beat

Defending Australian V8 Supercar champion, Triple Eight Racing Falcon driver Jamie Whincup, heads to the third round of the series unbeaten on 600 points, 102 more than second-placed Lee Holdsworth in the first of the Holdens.

On current form, it would be foolish to bet against the in-form Whincup not to be the man to beat. He and his car are working at their best and, bar either mechanical failure or a big off, Whincup will most likely be extending his lead come Sunday afternoon.

Not all is lost for the Kiwis though. It's a long series and with 11 rounds to go a couple of the Kiwi boys are poised to take it to Whincup and company.

Only in his second year in the big taxis, Fabian Coulthard has made the most of the opportunity given to him by Paul Cruickshank Racing. A good outing at the last round in Hamilton sees him sitting nicely in fifth, within easy touching distance of the leaders.

After a tough weekend at Hamilton, another Kiwi, Jason Richards, is looking to get back to the form he showed early in the series and move back up the table from his current sixth place.

"Winton has been a strong track for me in the past. The crash last year ruined the weekend but this year promises to be a real challenge with the introduction of smaller fuel loads and softer tyres," said Richards.

Aucklander Shane Van Gisbergen, also in his second full V8 Supercar season, lies ninth in the point's standings on 282, just three behind top Holden driver Garth Tander. Van Gisbergen's early form suggests that a place in the top six is not out of the question this year.