Jim Beam Racing News
Jim Beam Racing Tops with Two
19 April 2009
Photos from Hamilton
Jim Beam Racing has today secured a first for the Team with top spot in qualifying and a double Podium appearance for Race 4 at the Hamilton 400.
Both Jim Beam Racing FG Falcons got off to a flying start in Race 2 today, and Johnson and Courtney remained composed and focused to retain top positioning throughout the 59 lap race.
The Team began the final day of what was another great Event for Hamilton on top, when Steven Johnson put car #17 in Pole position after completing the fastest lap in the new Sunday twenty minute qualifying session, which was introduced at Hamilton for the first time in 2009. But the new format also suited Johnson's Team Mate James Courtney, who set the second fastest lap paving the way for both Cars to be side by side for the first time for the Jim Beam Racing Team.
The Team's results in today's qualifying confirmed its ability to adapt to any format change. What was also gratifying about Johnson's performance was that it was his first pole position since the Canberra street race 2001.
"It's just great to be number one" Steve said. "It's been a long road, but we are here and it is awesome". Johnson's top form has continued since the start of the 2009 Championship Season, with consistent Top 4 finishes - but today proved to be more than that for The Team who revelled with both cars being on the front row of the grid creating an "electric" atmosphere in the garage.
Race 2 at the Hamilton Street Circuit started with both Johnson and Courtney both getting great starts off the front line. An early push from Steve Richards saw Courtney lose a place at the first corner, but neither Johnson, nor Courtney, looked to lose focus during the 59 lap race.
With two hundred km's to complete before any driver saw a chequered flag, Race 2 would ultimately come down to the timing of when to pit – something that the Team had been working on after analysing the results of Race 1. While current Championship Leader Jamie Whincup pitted early in Race 2, this left Johnson and Courtney a clear path to focus on getting as much distance as they could out of their respective tyres before returning to pit lane. Johnson challenged the gap that he had created on Whincup, which seemed to be sufficient time to see Johnson refuelled with tyres and out of pit exit ahead of the pack. But this was not the case. Whincup's speed surprised all with Johnson just missing coming out ahead of Car 1. Courtney, next to pit, executed a faultless pit stop and managed to leapfrog Johnson into second place upon exit.
From there both Courtney and Johnson settled into a routine and produced consistent lap times to maintain their respective second and third positions to cross the finish line making history for the Jim Beam Racing Team.
Johnson said, "The car was awesome – it was a lot better than yesterday and my crew did an amazing job to get the car just right. It was a great day and everything just came together – we couldn't be happier."
"I changed all of my superstitious morning before routine" explained Courtney, "I walked into the garage and said to (Sporting Director) Adrian, our luck is about to change, I think I made the right decision there".
Courtney also explained "we now have a better knowledge of our Triple Eight chassis, and if you look at it – four of the top five were built by Triple Eight – so that has to say something. It is just that Jamie has a more experienced working knowledge of the car. We know the car a lot better now, and the results show that".
Seeing both Johnson and Courtney on the podium today was a great thrill for Team owners Dick Johnson and Charlie Schwerkolt who joined in the celebrations with the obligatory champagne spray at the end of the presentation.
"This is what it is all about. I don't think I could be prouder of both boys - and the entire Team" said Dick Johnson.
Jim Beam Racing will go into May's V8 Supercars Championship Series Winton Races in 3rd place in the Teams Championship and Steven Johnson has secured a steadfast 4th place within the individual championship ladder.
Final Results;
1. Jamie Whincup Team Vodaphone
2. James Courtney Jim Beam Racing
3. Steven Johnson Jim Beam Racing
4. Lee Holdsworth Garry Rogers Motorsport
5. Fabian Coulthard Wilson Security Racing
6. Michael Caruso Garry Rogers Motorsport
7. Will Davison Toll Holden Racing Team
8. Greg Murphy Sprint Gas Racing
9. Garth Tander Toll Holden Racing Team
10. Alex Davison Irwin Racing
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