Jim Beam Racing News
AGP Manufacturers Challenge qualifying update
26 March 2009
Steven Johnson has this afternoon qualified in position 6 for tomorrow’s all important shoot out for pole during the Manufacturers Challenge at the Australian Grand Prix. Joining him in the top ten are fellow Ford drivers Craig Lowndes, Fabian Coulthard, Mark Winterbottom and Shane van Gisbergen.
Johnson clocked a 1:58:31 on a flying lap at the beginning of the session and remained in P1 across the qualifying period for some time. Johnson called to the pits for a green change and was pipped at the post by Lowndes with the same idea. Lowndes then proceeded on greens and clocked the fastest time of the afternoon.
The #18 Falcon FG has shown great speed this afternoon with Johnson almost sure at one stage he would start first for tomorrows shootout. Now racing out of the pits half way through the shootout Johnson will be in a great position to start from the front couple of rows. A strong team of 5 Ford drivers will contest the shootout for the coveted Manufacturers Trophy.
Courtney’s day did not bode so well. The team are desperately trying to get the set up of the “loaner” BF Falcon correct in time for tomorrow’s race. With more seat and pedal adjustments required after qualifying today, Courtney has been relegated to position 26 on the grid. Whilst there will be a lot of traffic in front of him, Courtney is quietly confident they can get it right before tomorrow’s race and make up position once they hit the track.
The Top Ten Shootout will take place at 3:10 (ADST) and Race 1 begins at 6:15pm (ADST).
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