Townsville to rumble this weekend

Our season starts off with a street circuit in Adelaide and finishes with a street circuit in Sydney and there are now a few street circuits spread throughout the year.

But as far as passion goes, I think Townsville will be the biggest street event.

North Queensland has been starved of motorsport for a long time and a lot of people up there really enjoy fast cars.

From day one when tickets went on sale and I saw the long queue and recently when I was back up there, it seems like every second person is wearing V8 Supercar team apparel. They are just so into it. It will be a huge honour for whoever gets the first win. I'm just hoping it will be me.

Our team following is pretty good in North Queensland. After all, we're a Queensland-based team.

Townsville is also pretty special to me because I won a state karting championship there in 1998. It's the only time I've raced at Townsville, so I'm looking forward to going back and continuing my winning streak.

Because no one has driven the circuit, all the drivers are studying the two-dimensional circuit drawing we have been supplied. Most teams have also created a simulator of what the car will do on the track. That's about all you can do to prepare for the race and preparation is vital in this game.

If you roll out of the truck fast on the Friday because you've done all your homework, then you will have a good weekend.

After we've driven the track on Friday we will then immerse ourselves in data analysis.

But there's only so much you can do on a laptop. In the end, it is up to the drivers to work out what the fastest line is through a corner.

In the down time since Darwin almost four weeks ago we've been working on getting more car speed. We've made great inroads. And that's important as we head toward tracks that are a bit more open and need pace.

Finally I want to make a quick comment about a recent article in another paper which suggested I'd retire at 30. In fact, I'll be involved in motorsport for the rest of my life. I have grown up with it ever since dad bought me my first kart at seven. It's like an addiction so I'll be around it for the rest of my life.

What I was alluding to was that the lifespan of a modern racing driver is starting to align with footy where your career isn't as long as most other careers. There are a few exceptions to the point like Russell Ingall.

I will keep driving while I'm competitive, but I won't hang around and take a seat from a young guy who needs it.

I'm only 26 and hopefully I have a long career ahead of me.