Jim Beam Racing News

 
Courtney takes well deserved podium at the Clipsal 500 

Jim Beam Racings James Courtney finished second in Race 5 today of the V8 Supercar Championship at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.
After an average qualifying session earlier in the day, Courtney started the race mid field on the grid and quickly made up valuable ground after an explosive start which allowed him to pressure the top qualifiers over the 250km race around the tough street circuit. 

Eventually making up 14 positions, Courtney ended todays race in second behind Holden's Garth Tander with Garry Rogers Motorsport Lee Holdsworth finishing third. 
"It was a tough race as we didnt have the economy that we thought we had", said Courtney post race.

"Qualifying was ordinary but we made some changes that turned the car into a jet and we were able to maintain the pressure on the field and get to a podium."

Last year was not a memorable year for Courtney in his first year racing with JBR after failing to bag any points due to an indiscretion around the unforgiving Adelaide street circuit.
"I was conscious of turn 8 and made sure that I stayed focus and in control so to minimise the possibility of any damage like last year."

But that all seemed to be behind him as he worked his way forward in a car that was getting close to being a perfect race car.
" The team did an amazing job between qualifying and the race, and I have to thank them for improving the performance of the car considering there were some issues after Bahrain that the team worked through to prepare for this race."
"Based on todays performance I am confident that we can do a better job tomorrow and continue to gain valuable points in the Championship".


Team Mate Steven Johnson launched his Clipsal 500 challenge from 13th and quickly sliced his way to ninth. Lucky to avoid top-ten mayhem involving several cars, the blameless Johnson then set about rebuilding his race. 

“It was frustrating getting caught up in problems that weren’t my responsibility,” said Johnson. “But that’s Adelaide. It’s always a fight here.” 

Johnson’s fight also saw him delayed as he left the pits following one stop, which makes his eventual 12th place finish all the more commendable. “Bring on Sunday,” said the 
Queenslander, whose ability to endure Adelaide’s heat should mark him as tomorrow’s driver to watch.

Fujitsu series graduate and rookie DJR team member Johnathon Webb continued his brilliant Middle Eastern form, bringing the 19 Falcon home in 15th place.

Webb dodged incidents that compromised the races of more experienced runners, although he also recovered from problems of his own. 
“I clipped the wall in turn one early in the race,” Webb explained. A puncture later in the race was another factor that stopped Webb finishing even higher.

With teammate James Courtney coming home in second place, Webb can build on his solid race tomorrow with set-up tips and advice on how to handle Adelaide’s ever-changing
conditions. “This was a great way to learn the circuit at the highest level,” said the Supercar rookie.



V8 Supercar Driver Championship 
 
1.      Jamie Whincup        720    
2.      Mark Winterbottom    585
3.      James Courtney       558
4.      Shane Van Gisbergen  510
5.      Lee Holdsworth       501
6.      Craig Lowndes        495
7.      Rick Kelly           428
8.      Michael Caruso       384
9.      Paul Dumbrell        378
10.     Steven Johnson       365
14.     Jonathon Webb        321
 
Teams Championship
 
1.      Team Vodafone       1215
2.      Jim Beam Racing      933
3.      Fujitsu Racing       900

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