Kiwi drifting icon ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett is set to compete in this week’s ninth round of the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries.
A formula drift champion and recent avid sim-racer, Whiddett has become synonymous in the drifting world for his outrageous machinery and incredible car control.
The 39-year-old will join the Red Bull HRT outfit for this week’s virtual event, joining fellow kiwi Shane Van Gisbergen who Whiddett drove alongside in the Australian Endurance Championship back in 2017.
A recently discovered liking towards sim-racing, Whiddett proved to be exceptionally capable in the Racing Local Eseries competing against the likes of Van Gisbergen and Supercars regulars Scott McLaughlin and Andre Heimgartner.
“I know that these guys are really good and they practice a lot, probably a lot more than I would get to do with circuit racing, because usually when I’m on my simulator I’m drifting with my son Linc,” Whiddett told news outlet Speedcafe.com.
“I actually surprised myself against the guys like Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber in the IndyCar doing the ovals. I managed to qualify fifth and was battling for first and second.”
Whiddett admitted he had sought guidance from Van Gisbergen ahead of the event though he says he doesn’t expect to be competing up the front anytime soon.
“He gave me a base set-up for Phillip Island and I was about half a second off those guys, which doesn’t sound like much, but it’s friggin’ heaps,” he said.
“I’m not in it to win it, but I’ll definitely be pushing pretty hard.”
After a two month absence from the track, Whiddett was finally able to burn some rubber on Monday at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park as a part of his ‘DriftForce’ programme.
Round 9 of the BP Supercars All Star Eseries gets underway on Wednesday June 3 from 8 pm NZT.