McLaughlin to lead Volvo charge

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE man dubbed the "next Craig Lowndes" wants to make a name for himself in 2014 with new V8 Supercars manufacturer Volvo.

But Kiwi rookie Scott McLaughlin may yet be the name on everyone's lips at the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Holden young gun was on Saturday officially confirmed as Volvo's lead driver for next season after a debut season to remember.

He has easily been the find of 2013 with two race wins for Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM), including a breakthrough Auckland triumph in his native New Zealand in April.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

It has created a buzz on the mountain similar to that surrounding another 20-year-old in 1994, some bloke by the name of Lowndes.

Nineteen years ago Lowndes made the leap from unknown to budding star with an audacious outside move on veteran John Bowe to snatch the Bathurst 1000 lead on debut — albeit briefly.

But it proved a taste of things to come.

Three-time touring car champion Lowndes will be aiming for his sixth Bathurst crown when he lines up for his 20th start at Mount Panorama on Sunday.

However, many would not be surprised if history repeats and veteran Lowndes is upstaged by upstart McLaughlin this weekend. Five-time V8 champ Mark Skaife has already seen enough from McLaughlin to compare him with Lowndes.

However, McLaughlin said he was determined not to live in anyone's shadow as the 50-year-old GRM team prepared to make an historic switch to Volvo next year.

Scott McLaughlin flies around Mount Panorama on Saturday. Source: News Limited

"I thought if I got a top 15 finish this year I would be stoked but a couple of wins have made my goals go up," McLaughlin told AAP.

"At the same time it is pretty awesome to be compared with Craig Lowndes.

"But I want to be Scott McLaughlin."

McLaughlin admitted it was daunting starting in Volvo's first touring car entry since 1986 especially after watching Mercedes and Nissan endure a roller-coaster V8 return in 2013.

"But at the same time one thing I know for sure is that we have good cars," McLaughlin said of the Volvo team.

"Nissan and Mercedes had to build their cars, gear box coolers all that stuff to get it running.

"All we are doing is focusing 100 per cent on the engines and aero (aerodynamics).

"I think we are in a better position now than they were a year ago.

"The year 2014 can't come quick enough."\

He may be his own man but when asked about his 2014 goals for Volvo, McLaughlin seemed to channel the Lowndes of old.

"I want to win," he said.

"You have to be realistic but you never know.

"Nissan have already won their first race this year (at Winton in August) — it can happen."

Meanwhile, GRM are yet to confirm McLaughlin's co-driver for 2014.

But Will Davison is not believed to be in the mix with the championship contender expected to either stay with Ford Performance Racing or consider a Mercedes move.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

McLaughlin to lead Volvo charge

Dengan url

http://olahragasehatiku.blogspot.com/2013/10/mclaughlin-to-lead-volvo-charge.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

McLaughlin to lead Volvo charge

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

McLaughlin to lead Volvo charge

sebagai sumbernya