Jim Beam Racing News
Denyer fly’s off to Logies with a Silverware and Champagne in hand after Podium Finish at Winton
03 May 2009
Grant Denyer has today banished the Monster Truck hoodoo by finishing in 3rd position for the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Development Series Round 2 at Winton Raceway.
Denyer was firing off the line the entire weekend, with an incredible start to race 1 that saw him jump several places. After qualifying with some pace it became apparent that the tweaks required in the Crimsafe Ford after the Clipsal round had been taken care of and Denyer had finally found his comfort in the car. Starting further back on the grid for race one Denyer immediately jumped into action, landing himself a 5th place finish for what was an exciting and well fought race.
The beginning of Race 2 saw Grant start on 3rd line of the grid. Once again and incredible start that illustrated the drivers amazing reflexes, saw Grant fire through the front runners. Turn one had its own message for Grant however, being shut out by drivers coming through and having to come to an almost standstill in order to stay out of the carnage. Denyer battled on bringing home a fastest lap time of 1:27:4, showing that the DJR Falcon had finally hit it strides.
“The car finally has good mid corner turn, if I hadn’t been shut out in the first corner I am sure I could have caught them. You know it was a big job to change that car from a set up for someone like Steven Johnson, who let’s face it, is about 6 foot taller than me. They had to rearrange so much and that took us some time. But the car feels great, the boys have worked so hard with me to get it right and as of now I can say that they have the package working”.
Denyer went into race three with renewed confidence. Team Owner Charlie Schwerkolt even predicted at the beginning of the race “Watch him fire through and go straight into the lead”. True to prediction, Denyer roared off the line moving from 4th position on the grid straight into the lead. It was from here that there was no looking back. Denyer fired his way through a straight and consistent race, fending off several challenges by following drivers. Keeping a cool head Denyer came into the last lap in 1st position and wearing a great smile for the team he knew had worked so hard to get the car to where it was now sitting. Denyer took the 1st place for race 3 rocketing him into 3rd place and a podium finish for the round.
“I just can’t believe I am up on the podium my second race back. My crew have completed a mammoth task in making a square peg fit into a round hole. Having to change that car to fit me as opposed to Steven Johnson has not been easy. Just shows the depth of talent we have within our team to get it to this stage so early in the game. I could not be happier. This is bloody fantastic”, explained Denyer.
Denyers time on the podium was unfortunately cut short due to tight time frames for the Logies. Grant had been nominated for 2 Logies and had just 1 hour to get himself from Winton Raceway to Melbourne’s Crown Casino in time for the festivities. This left the team to celebrate the requisite Champagne spray.
Denyers next hit out in the 777 Crimsafe Ford will come at Townsville in Mid July. After such a great showing in Winton, Grant is looking forward to pushing forward and gaining more valuable championship points in Townsville. Grant Denyer currently sits in 4th position in the Championship.
Print This Article
