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When news broke that Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh once had a friendly punt on the opposition in a Test cricket match, the sporting skies almost fell in. But racing drivers think the idea is a hoot.
When New Zealander Jason Richards was asked about his juicy odds of 33-1 for Sunday’s Bathurst 1000, he suggested race favourite Jamie Whincup might have a punt on him.
“Yeah, I don’t mind a bet,” said Whincup, playing along with the taunt and prompting co-driver Craig Lowndes to burst out laughing at a news conference for the top three teams in today’s qualifying round.
The exchange typified the relaxed atmosphere among the top contenders for Sunday’s big race.
Even Mark Winterbottom was able to laugh about his disaster last year, when he led with 13 laps to go only to lose control at 200 kph and career across The Chase, almost colliding with eventual winner Lowndes.
Asked if he was still nursing any mental scars from the incident, Winterbottom said: “No, I’m over it. You’ve got to move on in motor racing. I’m not burning about it any more.”
Winterbottom, the fastest qualifier today, then chuckled along with everyone when his co-driver Steven Richards said: “All those afternoons watching Dr Phil have paid off.”
Australian cricketers Marsh and Lillee caused a furore by winning 7,500 pounds betting on opponents England in the third Test at Headingley in 1981, saying they took the bet as a joke because of the ludicrous odds of 500-1.
But no one will get Jason Richards and fellow Kiwi Greg Murphy at any longer than 33-1 after their qualifying effort today.
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