Jim Beam Racing News
The Team left wanting more at chilly Winton Raceway
01 May 2009
It was a day of first’s all round for Jim Beam Racing with both the enduro drivers having their first hit out in anger behind the wheel of the new FG’s, and the brand new soft compound tyres (pinks) getting their first run on track under the might of the new Jim Beam race cars. Both additions to the team performed well across the day.
Practice part A saw Jonathon Webb and Warren Luff, Jim Beam Racing’s enduro pair, have their first drive under race conditions in the Jim Beam Racing FG Falcons. Luff got off to a roaring start staying with the front running pack in #18 throughout the practice period. “The car felt great, it is just the complete package and really balanced”, explained Luff, “There is nothing that needs to be changed as is evident with us running at the front, I just felt really comfortable”. Luff finished the practice session in fourth position, and didn’t once look like dropping out of the top 5 competitors.
Webb had his first seat behind #17 and had a great time. For a first drive behind what is arguably one of the fastest cars in the pack was an exciting experience for Webb. “Well I was thrown in the deep end today and it is a whole new world for me”, explained Webb, “This car is completely different to what I normally drive – everything about it is brand new. It is such a great car – so well put together. Even running on an old set of tyres the car gave a great first impression. I just can’t wait to get more drive time up my sleeve to really see what the car is made of. I have just had a fantastic time today.” Webb impressed the team with his first ever showing, producing impressive and consistent sector times.
“Both drivers performed well today”, explained Adrian Burgess, Team Sporting Director, “this was really just to give them a feel for it under race conditions, we have a bit of work to do but all in all it went as expected”.
Practice Part B & C saw Johnson and Courtney return to the seats of 17 & 18, and test out the brand new soft compound tyres as sanctioned by V8 Supercars Australia. A couple of other teams on pit lane have had some practice time on the tyres during testing, but for Jim Beam Racing this was to be the first time the tyres have carried the new FG’s around a track.
The team knew that the tyres were fast and today’s practice was all about finding out how long the tyres would last before they lost their speed. Both drivers were really excited when they returned to the garage, impressed with the speed performance of the tyre, however the haste with which the speed dissipated had them longing for more.
“It’s like being served your favourite dish and then having someone take it away from you after only a few bites , it just leaves you wanting more of the same”, explained Courtney, “They were quick for the few laps that you got, it would be great if we could have that last a bit longer”.
Strategy will play a major role in tomorrow’s race, with the pinks being used for the first time under race conditions. As Johnson found out today, if you have an incident occur in front of you the chances of losing the few laps of speed are great. “I had someone go off in front of me, right themselves, and then carry a whole lot of mud and water back onto the track with them”, said Johnson, “I had to slow up and then had the debris to deal with as well, and so I didn’t get a great run on them. They felt great, but would have been better to get a clearer run through with them. I lost time in the incident, but it shows you what a difference something small like that can make”.
Both Courtney and Johnson clocked great sector times during today’s practice and look certain to come out firing for tomorrows qualifying for Race 1. Team strategy will become the focus for tomorrow with the FG’s and drivers proving they have the pace.
Johnson finished 17th in today’s practice with Courtney showing extra speed in 6th position. With lap times creeping up as all sessions progressed, tomorrow’s race is expected to be closer than ever before.
Print This Article
