Cyclone rules Whincup out of ROC as teams and tracks prepare

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 5 March 2025

Jamie Whincup will miss Race of Champions to stay at Triple Eight HQ as Cyclone Alfred approaches and will be replaced by Brodie Kostecki, while local racing may carry on and speedway has been postponed.

Whincup was lined up to drive alongside reigning Supercars champion Will Brown for Team Australia Supercars at Sydney Olympic Park this weekend.

But instead former teammates Brown and Kostecki will reunite at Australia’s first time hosting the global event that brings Formula 1 and WRC champions to the track.

Whincup’s call comes as Tropical Cyclone Alfred creeps closer to the coasts of south-east Queensland and north east NSW.

As a result, the northern based Supercars teams are monitoring the situation and preparing as the cyclone is forecast to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday morning.

Critically the cyclone s not expected to impact the preparations for next weekend’s Melbourne SuperSprint of the Queensland teams, Triple Eight, PremiAir, MSR and DJR.

Being the managing director of Triple Eight, Whincup, who has already competed in ROC in 2012 and 2014, said it was the sensible decision.

“While I would love nothing more than to be at Accor Stadium racing in the ROC this weekend, the reality is that I need to be in Brisbane looking after my friends and family with Cyclone Alfred on the way,” said Whincup.

“I wish everyone a great weekend at the ROC, but, more importantly, I wish for the safety of everyone in northern NSW and southeast Queensland as we brace for Mother Nature to show her own horsepower.”

MSR performing pit stop practice at SMP. Image: InSyde Media/Supplied

MSR has brought the race car preparation forward to ensure nothing is on delayed by the cyclone.

“We are watching and monitoring Cyclone Alfred closely,” an MSR spokesperson said.

“The timing is not ideal as we get stuck into final preparations for the Australian Grand Prix.

“Currently, we’re not too concerned that the cyclone will impact us significantly from a race team perspective, but we are bringing car prep forward to be ready for anything.

“Of the utmost importance is the health and safety of our staff.

“Some people may not be able to make it into work later in the week due to the weather or flash flooding, but as a team we will rally together to ensure the cars are prepared to the highest standard, as always.”

“We’re monitoring the situation and preparations for out trip to Melbourne remain on schedule, a DJR spokesperson said.

“We will keep a close eye on the weather in the coming days and make any necessary adjustments to our schedule should there be any impacts on the team.”

There is still scheduled to be racing at Queensland Raceway this weekend. Image: MTR Images

Whilst the likes of AFL, NRL and golf have cancelled big events, motorsport may carry on at state level with the opening round of the QDRC still planning on going ahead.

“As we’re sure many of you are, we are continuing to monitor the weather & information being released as it comes to hand,” a QR Competition events statement read.

“At this stage, the plan is for QRDC Round 1 to go ahead as scheduled.

Information currently available suggests that the worst of the weather is likely to hit us Thursday/Friday.

“While it seems likely that the weekend will be wet, we are hopeful that the worst of the weather will subside and allow us to race.

“On-Track safety remains our number 1 priority, and should the weather become too severe during the event, we will pause on-track proceedings & assess the situation which is in front of us at the time.

“The one wildcard which could impact us would be damage to local infrastructure (power, roads, water) which we wont have any idea of until the weather lands. As such, we will be continually monitoring the situation & will be providing updates to all competitors via email.”

However, there will be no action on the dirt this weekend with Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway.

Lockie McHugh recently won the pink night at Toowoomba, but sadly no racing will be there this weekend.

The Australian AMCA Nationals Title scheduled for Friday and Saturday has been postponed and moved to a winter date of May 31-June 1.

“In the best interest of everyone concerned given the incoming cyclone to the SEQ coast and the rain event expected later this week, there’s no other choice but to postpone the Australian AMCA Nationals Title that was due to be run this Friday & Saturday at Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway,” a Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway statement read.

“The Title will be postponed and rescheduled to be contested in Toowooomba on 31 May and 1 June (Saturday and Sunday).

“It is likely that this will be a twilight event given the cooler weather and will have an 6pm finish time on the Sunday so the majority of competitors, officials, fans & volunteers can get home for work on the Monday morning.

“While the entire support classes for the new event are yet to be finalized Formula 500s and Junior 500s along with Wingless will run on Saturday 31 May with the AMCAs, while on Sunday 1 June we can confirm that the grand final of the Engage Ag Street Stock Ironman Series along with Junior Sedans (Top and New Stars) and a club show for Production Sedans will be rescheduled.

“We sincerely apologise for not being able to push ahead this weekend, but given the extreme forecast, this is the most sensible thing to do so everyone can stay at home and be safe.”

The Bureau of Meteorology states that Tropical Cyclone Alfred is likely to cross the coast between Brisbane and the Gold Coast overnight on Thursday into Friday morning with gusts of over 130km/h, while over 800mm of rain could arrive over the coming days.

Image: Peter Norton Epic Sports Photography

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Cyclone rules Whincup out of ROC as teams and tracks prepare

Whincup’s call comes as Tropical Cyclone Alfred creeps closer to the coasts of south-east Queensland and north east NSW.

“While I would love nothing more than to be at Accor Stadium racing in the ROC this weekend, the reality is that I need to be in Brisbane looking after my friends and family with Cyclone Alfred on the way,” said Whincup.

“Currently, we’re not too concerned that the cyclone will impact us significantly from a race team perspective, but we are bringing car prep forward to be ready for anything.

“We’re monitoring the situation and preparations for out trip to Melbourne remain on schedule, a DJR spokesperson said.

“As we’re sure many of you are, we are continuing to monitor the weather & information being released as it comes to hand,” a QR Competition events statement read.

“The one wildcard which could impact us would be damage to local infrastructure (power, roads, water) which we wont have any idea of until the weather lands. As such, we will be continually monitoring the situation & will be providing updates to all competitors via email.”

“The Title will be postponed and rescheduled to be contested in Toowooomba on 31 May and 1 June (Saturday and Sunday).

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