Jim Beam Racing News
Denyer ‘Zig Zags’ his way through treacherous Adelaide Track
20 March 2009
All eyes were on the 777 car during the practice sessions of the Fujitsu Development Series on Thursday, as Grant Denyer made his first foray back into V8 Supercar Racing. Denyer did not disappoint, showing great pace out of the garage for the practice rounds on Thursday.
After overcoming fuel pump issues in the first round of practice, Denyer showed great promise moving into the second session on Thursday afternoon. Recording the third fastest time of the afternoon, Denyer finally looked to be enjoying the set up, with only a few minor tweaks having to be made.
“I just felt really comfortable in the car, the set up was right, everything was right” explained Denyer. After softening the car overnight, Denyer hit the gruelling Adelaide circuit on Friday for qualifying with a renewed thirst to score a podium finish.
However the redesigned turn 8 within the second sector proved to be a stumbling block for Denyer when it came to qualifying. “It is a hairy corner, they have narrowed it to the point where you have incredible speed coming into the corner, but, little to none coming out. We softened the car a little overnight to compensate, and it just didn’t like it on new tyres. We have learnt from that today and will go into the next race with an education”.
Race one loomed large and Denyer, starting 12th on the grid, was ready for anything. Denyer raced through the pack from the start line, picking up 6 places before three cars came to grief on turn 2. Denyer, narrowly escaping the carnage missed the turn at 3 and took the 777 BF into a tyre wall. “Look, honestly, I zigged when I should have zagged. I was just happy to get through the mess at 2 and when I came into the corner I just followed the line through, but under steer saw me face the tyre wall. I took a gamble and it didn’t pay off”. Denyer suffered superficial damage to the left front of the car, but continued to finish the race in 11th position.
“Tomorrow is sure to be a better day, you can count on it” explained Denyer. Grant will line up P11 on the grid for the final race of the Fujitisu Development Series tomorrow morning.
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