Jim Beam Racing News

Photos from the Tasmania Challenge

Jim Beam Racing was again dealt a mixed hand of success and frustration during Race 7 of the V8 Supercar Championship at Symmons Plains today.

With race results this season earning him with the reputation as being "Mr consistency" Steve Johnson again held off several challenges to get another podium in what is shaping up to be his most improved season yet.

Johnson started from P3 in the 100km race after another strong qualifying session earlier in the day where he went into the Top Ten Shootout with the second fastest session time to put Car 17 into the final ten. But a slight mistake at Turn 7, costing just hundredths of a second, was enough to allow Tander and Murphy to take P1 and P2 respectively for Race 7.

 Electing to run the soft tyre for Race 7, Johnson got a great start to hold his position going into the tight hairpin at Turn 4. Strategy then saw Johnson pit at the end of Lap 5 to take on the compulsory 50 litres of fuel where he then left pit exit behind Tander who was leading a battle pack of cars that had also pitted early. As tyre temperature returned after the pit stop, Johnson punched out fast lap times to hold off challenges from Steven Richards and Will Davison to finish the day in third place behind Tander (1^st) and Russell Ingall (2^nd).

 Johnson's second podium for the year was a great effort by The Team.

 "The race went pretty well for me today" said Johnson at the Press Conference after Race 7. "We were strong in qualifying and I knew that if we could stay out of trouble that we would be in the hunt for another podium finish. It was tough at times out there and traffic became a major player towards the end of the race. But I am really pleased to take third place and have a car that will be ready to race again tomorrow."

 While Johnson's day ended on a high note, the same can not be said for his team mate Courtney who qualified in P5 for the race.

After a tough start for Courtney on soft tyres, strategy saw Courtney pit first on the first lap to take on the compulsory 50 litres of fuel. With Tander, Lowndes, Davison and Todd Kelly following Courtney into pit lane, the pit stop saw Courtney file back into the race behind Kelly but in front of Lowndes and Davison.  The ensuing battle for track space around the tight Symmons Plains circuit ended in frustration after Courtney appeared to have been aided off the track after a tough side by side battle in lap 4. Courtney limped back to pit lane with a shredded right rear tyre. While Courtney returned to the race two laps behind the field, the day was effectively over for car 18.

"It was a crap day" said Courtney after the race. "However this incident happened, there is little damage to the car. Tomorrow is another day and we get another chance to qualify and Race… that's what is important.  But I am really happy for Steve and his performance in the Race. He is continuing to punch out consistent results for the Team and it is important to focus on that at the moment."

 Jim Beam Racing Sporting Director Adrian Burgess summed up today's results as being a mixture of "consistency" and "frustration".

"SJ again showed what a capable driver he is. He got out there and took the challenge up to the other drivers in the field. I am very happy with him and the way the Team handles the ups and downs.   James had 'one of those days' where you just couldn't take a trick… but that's motorsport and tomorrow is another day."

Qualifying for Race 8 is at 1035 with the Race start kicking off at 1305.

Race 7 Results:

1st Garth Tander

2^nd Russell Ingall

3^rd Steven Johnson

30^th James Courtney

Championship Points at the end of Race 7

1. Jamie Whincup 894
2. Will Davison 810
3. Steven Johnson 702

17. James Courtney 389

Teams Championship Points

1. Team Vodafone         1491
2. HRT                           1464
3. Jim Beam Racing      1101

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