Whincup does not believe Dave Reynolds has shown enough to be a title threat

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DAVE Reynolds’ giant-killing start to the season is not enough to make him a crown-contending Supercars heavyweight, V8 immortal Jamie Whincup believes.

Whincup said competition leader Scott McLaughlin was still his biggest rival despite trailing Reynolds by 82 points in the drivers’ championship.

Holden’s man of the moment and fan favourite is in great form after bagging a Phillip Island double podium and looking to build on his shock season start heading into Saturday’s Perth SuperSprint.

“It is very difficult to be a contender,’’ Whincup said. “I don’t think (Reynolds) is there yet.

“It is a real tough one, too, because he is a real good guy so I hope he is there at the end.

“But I can’t see anything at the moment to guarantee he will be.’’

Reynolds has emerged as this year’s dark horse, with the driver best known for throwing flowerpots and drinking out of his shoe scoring three podium finishes to trail only DJT Team Penske driver McLaughlin on the championship ladder.

Self described as an “odd ball’’, Reynolds has been known to fall asleep on the grid while waiting for race starts. And Whincup refused to say whether his opinion had anything to do with Reynolds’ perceived lack of mental strength.

“I am not sure (if he has the mental strength to win the championship),’’ Whincup said.

“I can’t answer that one. That is up to Dave.

“But certainly they have shown good consistent pace to this point.’’

Whincup is vying to win an unprecedented eighth title after he continued his record championship streak by beating McLaughlin to the crown last year in an epic finale in Newcastle.

The Red Bull Holden Racing driver lost the championship lead last round when he went from first to fifth in a Phillip Island disappointment.

“We have had two poor rounds and two good rounds,’’ Whincup said. “And we are currently fifth in the championship.

“It hasn’t been the greatest start but then again neither was last year. The big positive is that we have had some pace in the car and that is what it is all about.’’

Whincup said McLaughlin was winning this year’s war after his Ford dominated the field to record a Phillip Island clean sweep.

“The championship is about consistency and being there,’’ Whincup said.

“And car No. 17 has been the most consistent. Scott can claim the win so far and I can’t make any statements being back in fifth.

“We are confident we will be there at the end of the year. We just have to keep on improving the car.’’

Fighting with the all-new ZB Commodore, Whincup is confident of resuming a top-of-the-table war with Ford.

“It is such a long year and that can change,’’ Whincup said.

“There is so much water to run under the bridge. It is about being in contention when it counts.

“We are still in contention and we will just go through the rollercoaster of what is the championship.’’