Jim Beam Racing News
One final fling at Oran Park for Jim Beam Racing
03 December 2008
Dick Johnson has predicted fans to come out in full force this weekend in what will be the last V8 Supercar event staged at Sydney's Oran Park circuit and the final round of the 2008 Championship, the NRMA Motoring & Services Grand Finale.
With a Homebush street race to take over as Sydney's premier motor racing event in 2009, Johnson reflected on his memories at Oran Park and the enjoyment the track had given him over the years.
"Oran Park has been a fantastic circuit to race at over the years, it has everything you want as a race driver and I certainly enjoyed the track and won a lot of races there during my career," said Johnson.
A round winner in 1981 and 1988, Johnson recalled Oran Park as a track that had an abundance of character and said it was unfortunate that it would no longer appear on the V8 Supercar calendar.
"As a race track it really used to fire, we had some brilliant racing there and the fans really flocked to the circuit and gave it an electric atmosphere.
"It has certainly changed a lot as a circuit since I first raced there in 1970; it's been lengthened, has fast and slow corners and a bit of everything for the drivers.
"I've got no doubt that we are going to see a huge turnout this weekend, it's the final event at the circuit for our category and the final round of the 2008 Championship and I think the fans will really come out in full force.
"I certainly hope we can be part of history and have Jim Beam Racing standing on the podium come the end of the weekend," said Johnson.
Will Davison and Steve Johnson head to the final round in Sydney looking to secure their places inside the top five and top ten respectively in the Championship standings, with both Davison and Johnson coming off impressive performances in Tasmania where they were fifth and sixth overall for the round at Symmons Plains.
"Oran Park really suits my driving style so its going to be disappointing when we don't go there in 2009, I have some really good memories of the track all the way back to my days in Formula Ford," said Davison.
"It a great track to drive, the overpass is an awesome part of the circuit and I really want to finish the year off well, a podium would be perfect".
Johnson looked forward to finishing the year off well after enjoying some good form since the endurance events and also wanted the team to finish strongly and keep its position in the team's championship.
"Jim Beam Racing leapt up to third position in the team's points after the round at Symmons Plains, and when you look at what we have been up against this year I think that speaks volumes for the quality we have got around the place," said Johnson.
"We are competing against some teams with much larger budgets than we have, and newer equipment but have still been able to compete up the front so I think we have done a great job this year.
V8 Supercars hit the Oran Park circuit on Friday for Practice.
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