Phillip Island

[Hardies Hero]

1st Session done and dusted.

Car 17 P1

interesting to see Courtney and Luff in 17

Pos Car Entrant Driver Vehicle Laps Fastest Lap Fastest Lap Time Gap
1 17 Jim Beam Racing J.Courtney/W.Luff Ford Falcon FG 13 5 1:34.4283
2 25 Fujitsu Racing J.Bright/K.Reindler Ford Falcon FG 14 3 1:34.8097 0:00.3814
3 7 Jack Daniel's Racing Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VE 13 5 1:35.0597 0:00.6314
4 6 Ford Performance Racing D.Canto/S.Richards Ford Falcon FG 13 7 1:35.2451 0:00.8168
5 10 Team Autobarn S.Owen/S.Price Holden Commodore VE 14 4 1:35.6225 0:01.1942
6 9 SP Tools Racing Alex Davison Ford Falcon FG 13 5 1:35.6989 0:01.2706
7 5 Ford Performance Racing D.Canto/M.Winterbottom Ford Falcon FG 14 4 1:35.7323 0:01.3040
8 22 Toll Holden Racing Team Craig Baird Holden Commodore VE 9 3 1:35.8382 0:01.4099
9 3 Sprint Gas Racing J.Bargwanna/M.Noske Holden Commodore VE 17 5 1:35.8448 0:01.4165
10 18 Jim Beam Racing J.Courtney/S.Johnson/W.Luff/J.Webb Ford Falcon FG 16 6 1:35.9871 0:01.5588
11 51 Sprint Gas Racing G.Murphy/M.Skaife Holden Commodore VE 15 15 1:36.1296 0:01.7013
12 39 Supercheap Auto Racing Paul Morris Holden Commodore VE 15 11 1:36.1899 0:01.7616
13 34 Garry Rogers Motorsport D.Besnard/G.Ritter Holden Commodore VE 13 4 1:36.2568 0:01.8285
14 67 Supercheap Auto Racing Tim Slade Holden Commodore VE 13 11 1:36.3546 0:01.9263
15 14 WOW Racing Brad Jones Holden Commodore VE 5 5 1:36.3870 0:01.9587
16 24 Bundaberg Red Racing Team A.Priaulx/D.Reynolds Holden Commodore VE 16 3 1:36.5169 0:02.0886
17 55 The Bottle-O Racing Team Andrew Thompson Holden Commodore VE 15 15 1:36.5227 0:02.0944
18 11 Dodo Racing Team Dale Wood Holden Commodore VE 15 15 1:36.5483 0:02.1200
19 88 TeamVodafone A.Simonsen/J.Thompson Ford Falcon FG 17 17 1:36.6954 0:02.2671
20 23 Greg Murphy Racing Sam Walter Holden Commodore VE 19 6 1:36.9716 0:02.5433
21 12 Triple F Racing T.Bayliss/D.Fiore Holden Commodore VE 15 7 1:37.0978 0:02.6695
22 4 Irwin Racing A.Davison/D.Gaunt/S.Van Gisbergen Ford Falcon FG 14 13 1:37.1421 0:02.7138
23 111 Wilson Security Racing Michael Patrizi Ford Falcon FG 12 12 1:37.7907 0:03.3624
24 16 Hi-Tec Oils Racing M.McNally/T.Ricciardello Holden Commodore VE 19 7 1:37.8875 0:03.4592
25 15 Jack Daniels Racing B.Collins/T.Kelly/N.Pretty Holden Commodore VE 16 14 1:38.3357 0:03.9074
26 8 Team BOC Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VE 8 3 1:38.4287 0:04.0004
27 13 All-Trans Spares David Seiders Ford Falcon BF 17 10 1:38.6973 0:04.2690
28 333 Wilson Security Racing Leanne Tander Ford Falcon BF 19 18 1:38.7202 0:04.2919
29 21 Fujitsu Racing D.Assaillit/B.Lowe Ford Falcon BF 14 8 1:38.9375 0:04.5092
30 2 Toll Holden Racing Team Craig Baird Holden Commodore VE 1

 

[Poita]

A B & C sessions combined

1 6 Ford Performance Racing D.Canto/S.Richards/ M.Winterbottom/ L.Youlden 1:33.7901*
2 888 TeamVodafone C.Lowndes/A.Simonsen/ J.Whincup 1:33.8128
3 8 Team BOC A.Jones/C.McConville/J.Richards 1:33.9456
4 25 Fujitsu Racing J.Bright/K.Reindler 1:34.0502
5 22 Toll Holden Racing Team C.Baird/P.Dumbrell 1:34.0747
6 111 Wilson Security Racing F.Coulthard/M.Patrizi 1:34.0849
7 9 SP Tools Racing A.Davison/S.Van Gisbergen 1:34.1021
8 18 Jim Beam Racing J.Courtney/S.Johnson/W.Luff/J.Webb 1:34.2492 0:00.4591
9 7 Jack Daniel's Racing B.Collins/R.Kelly/T.Kelly 1:34.3062
10 2 Toll Holden Racing Team C.Baird/W.Davison/G.Tander 1:34.4020
11 10 Team Autobarn S.Owen/S.Price 1:34.5715
12 39 Supercheap Auto Racing R.Ingall/P.Morris/T.Slade 1:34.5964
13 17 Jim Beam Racing J.Courtney/S.Johnson 1:34.6873 0:00.8972

 

[Gerry]

I know it's only practice but do we know who was driving what when?

 

[Car61]

I heard a brief report on radio this afternoon, that went something like:

"Luke Youlden was the surprise in first practice for the V8 supercar race at Phillip island" [sh]

 

[Poita]

Practice, practice and more practice - Day 1 of the L & H 500 at Phillip Island

Friday, 11 September, 2009

From a lay persons perspective, it was an interesting day for Jim Beam Racing as The Team came out of three practice sessions at the Phillip Island Circuit.

Warren Luff and Jonathon Webb paired up in Car 18 and posted the 8th fastest time for the combined practice session and were both pleased with the performance of the car straight out of the box.

"The car was pretty good" said Warren Luff after practice. "I had the opportunity to take both 17 and 18 out this afternoon and they are pretty much on par with each other. We (car 18) probably had better practice tyres to work with which was a slight advantage."

Jonathon Webb had some valuable track time today which saw him improve across the practice session as he builds his confidence heading into tomorrow's qualifying session.

"I felt really comfortable with the car and where everything is situated which is a bit different to my Development Series drive" said Webb. "I am looking forward to getting out in qualifying, and more importantly driving with Luffy who did a great job today in practice."

Meanwhile Steven Johnson and James Courtney in Car 17 had to contend with less than average practice tyres during todays session. It appeared from a distance to be a frustrating day for both of them as while the car had good speed, the lap times didnt reflect that. Even after running a few laps on green tyres, Johnson and Courtney ended the day with the 12th fastest time.

"It can get frustrating during practice when you know the car has got pace but the timing doesnt show that." commented Johnson this afternoon. "Its now about working through the data and seeing what changes we can make before qualifying tomorrow."

Courtney shared the same views as his co-driver. "Today was about ironing out any kinks or issues with the car, and getting it set up for both Steve and I for the Race on Sunday." said Courtney.

"Steve and I are part of a great team and I know that together we will sort through the data from today and get onto the track tomorrow when it counts to post some competitime times during Qualifying".

Qualifying starts at 11.05am tomorrow with the first of the Two Races kicking off at 2.35pm

 

[Hardies Hero]

Steve and James finished 4th in each of there respective qualifying sessions.

Can someone enlighten me on where they will start?

does it work aggregate?

****s me.

 

[XYGTReplica]

There is 2 races this arvo Chris. Driver A race and then driver B race. The finishing position of both drivers determines where they start on Sunday.

 

[Bundy_Bear]

WOW Steve was lucky at the start not to be cleaned up...

I thought today was a boring format. FPR look quick at the moment, sound like Little is having an impact already.

BB

 

[Gerry]

If I'm right, I think we start 5th for tomorrow - not bad considering Steve's start.

 

[Rob]

very interesting coverage this afternoon of the mark skaife sprint gas show NOT

 

[Racin Jason]

5th and 10th is pretty good. Steve did a good job to come back from that bad start. Looking forward to tomorrow.

I thought we were watching V8 Supermarks at Skaife Island in the Mark Skaife 500 on Channel Mark whose coverage is sponsored by Supermark Autos and Marks Fried Chicken. I hope he spends alot of time in the car tomorrow otherwise I think I could end up all Marked out!

 

[Blueoval]

100% right Jason was getting sick of it myself no wonder they wanted him to drive for them how much exposure did they get.Anyway good luck to the boys tomorrow lets bring it home strong.

 

[ROB17]

It's all about tomorrow. Today was just a bit of muscle flexing. Good to see both cars in the 10 though. The FPR car looks pretty strong, but I'm sure Steve Richards will bugger it up somehow. Tomorrow should be an interesting day with rain expected.

 

[ROB17]

Both Jim Beam Racing V8's to start the L&H 500 tomorrow in the Top Ten

12 September 2009

When the Race Director calls "Grid set" tomorrow for the first endurance race of 2009, Jim Beam Racing will be the only Team in pit lane to have both cars in the Top Ten with Johnson/Courtney in P5 and Luff/Webb in P10. While the final result was a top effort for the Team, there were moments during the day where it looked as if the weekend could be all over.

But this is (as many people keep on reminding us), is motorsport.

The day started with a Practice Session for the drivers who had a chance to fine tune some changes made to the car set up the night before. Results in practice were strong, but it would be the Qualifying sessions where Steven Johnson, James Courtney, Warren Luff and Jonathon Webb would get down to business and post some fast times on green tyres. Qualifying A saw Johnson and Luff take out #17 and #18 for the twenty minute session. Johnson put his car in P4 for Race A with Luff right behind him in P5. Both drivers were pretty comfortable with their cars and seemed quietly confident heading into the 14 lap race later in the afternoon.

The remaining Qualifying B session gave Courtney and Webb a chance to get on their own set of greens with Courtney matching Johnsons result in P4 and Webb completing the session in P10. That meant that all four drivers would start their Races in the Top Ten, with both Luff and Webb being the fastest "non-regular" drivers in each race, with a few "main game" drivers sitting behind them on the Grid.

Speaking to the drivers after their respective sessions, it was clear that they had all become a lot more comfortable with their cars.

The Qualifying Races in the afternoon would sort the endurance contenders with a compulsory pit stop for tyres for one of the two driver team. Johnson was on the second row for Qual A and was positioned well to take the race up to the front runners. But just as the race started, Car 17 stalled and he was stationery for almost two seconds, as the back of the field fired past him. While he managed to escape any carnage, it was a close situation for those watching the Qual Race and Johnson managed to get the car going to be back at the end of the field.
Johnson then played catch up for most of the Qual Race and eventually ended up in P19, even after taking the pit stop for tyres.

"The car just stopped as I went to get off the line", said a confused Johnson after the Qual Race.

"I did nothing different for my starts to normal, but when I went to fire off there was nothing... I don?t understand it."

The car's reaction on the grid baffled not only Johnson, but the entire Team but Johnson's reaction was to put his head down and get on with working his way back through the field which he did.

Luff in Car 18 was also trapped by the start and lost a couple of places off the line. While he was still in the race, Luff was called in to pit lane for tyres and dropped back to 17th at the chequered flag. The decision meant that both Courtney and Webb would be able to race from start to finish as their co-drivers had taken the compulsory pit stop.

?I saw Steven stall and for a split second I took my mind off the ball which meant that I lost a few places on the start.? said Luff post race. ?It was only a split second, but that can make a big difference.?

With the combined results from both drivers in each car determining starting positions for the 500km race, Jim Beam Racing were still in with a good chance as half the field in Race A elected not to pit meaning that the co-driver would have to pit at some point in Qualifying Race B.

Courtney was well aware of what his co-driver Johnson had to contend with, and took measures in an attempt to counter any repeat off the grid. While it was not his cleanest start, he managed to stay with the pack knowing that 2-3 cars ahead of him would have to pit at some point.

Webb also managed to get off the start line without incident and settled into a good rhythm for the 14 lap dash.

With a safety car bringing the field back into line mid race, Courtney held onto 4th position for the Qualifying Race putting himself and Johnson in P5 for tomorrows start. Webb also drove well to finish in 9th putting Webb/Luff in P10 tomorrow.

?It was a tough day for The Team at times but it could have been worse? said Courtney after the Race.

?Motorsport can be cruel as you can?t control everything. We were hoping for a better result, but hey - a lot can happen in a 500km race, and it?s about making sure you are on the pace and in a position to strike when it counts? Bring on tomorrow.?

Having both cars in the Top Ten was a good result for the Team.

?I am pretty happy with where both cars ended up today? said Sporting Director Adrian Burgess.

?We have some homework to do tonight, but overall The Team has put in a great performance today to be in P5 and P10. I think we have the capability to improve on that tomorrow. Let?s just wait and see?

The L& H 500 at Phillip Island will roar around Phillip Island at 1.35pm tomorrow and as is normally the case; anything can happen.

 

[Timmy]

The boys have done very well with the events which happened yesterday. I only saw the last 8 or so laps of race 2 and have heard about what happened to Steve so well done to them both. Today is a new day and anything can happen.

 

[Poita]

5th and 10th is pretty good. Steve did a good job to come back from that bad start. Looking forward to tomorrow.

I thought we were watching V8 Supermarks at Skaife Island in the Mark Skaife 500 on Channel Mark whose coverage is sponsored by Supermark Autos and Marks Fried Chicken. I hope he spends alot of time in the car tomorrow otherwise I think I could end up all Marked out!

Expect more of the same today. [hb]

 

[Fordv8Fan]

As much as I don't like this format for the grid yesterdays racing was good.

Would of being good if ford won both the races but



and GO JESUS RACING who will start from 17th in today's race

 

[Bartman09]

If McConville was Indian his last name would be Pants first name Shatima.
[rt][rt]

 

[Car61]

DJR - 4th & 6th !![drive]

 

[Poita]

Great effort by the team today, having the two cars up the front all day kept it interesting.

Good chance Steve Owen will be TTT for Bathurst.