Jim Beam Racing’s Steven Johnson finished 8th and James Moffat 22nd in a wet and slippery finale to the Clipsal 500.
While conditions for qualifying remained dry, Johnson said the team weren’t able to get enough out of the #17 Falcon FG.
“Qualifying was terrible,” said Johnson.
“We went the same pace as we did the day before but the other cars went quicker.
“We tried a few things but we just couldn’t get it right and had to make do with a mid field start.”
Sleeting rain and poor visibility marked the opening of Race 4, with Johnson narrowly avoiding hitting Todd Kelly who spun out on lap 2.
Johnson was pushed back to 19th, but by lap 26 had moved into P11.
“The car was really good on in-between conditions today”, said Johnson.
“We had a set up for half wet, half dry conditions so that was the only time when we were really going to excel.”
“When the track was greasy we were the fastest car by a mile but unfortunately for us it didn’t stay that way all day.”
In a dramatic race where the lead changed 20 times Johnson said he was just pleased to get the car home in good condition.
“There were some pretty hairy moments out there,” he said.
“So to finish top ten in those circumstances was a pretty good result.”
Race 4 provided Johnson’s team mate James Moffat with his first opportunity to race a V8 Supercar in wet conditions.
Tyre issues in qualifying resulted in a P24 Start for Moffat, who said the team strategy was to stay out of trouble.
“I was just focused on not making any mistakes in the wet,” he said.
As the slippery track started to take its toll on more seasoned competitors, Moffat methodically worked his way through the field, at one point reaching P12.
“Our strategy was paying off for us and we were moving up through the field, picking off a few cars and also gaining positions from guys who were making mistakes.” Moffat said.
On lap 54 Moffat was forced into the garage when his wipers and power steering failed, only managing to rejoin the field for several laps late in the race.
“It was good work by the boys to try and fix everything and as a result we got back out there and managed to classify as a finisher” he said.
While conditions for qualifying remained dry, Johnson said the team weren’t able to get enough out of the #17 Falcon FG.
“Qualifying was terrible,” said Johnson.
“We went the same pace as we did the day before but the other cars went quicker.
“We tried a few things but we just couldn’t get it right and had to make do with a mid field start.”
Sleeting rain and poor visibility marked the opening of Race 4, with Johnson narrowly avoiding hitting Todd Kelly who spun out on lap 2.
Johnson was pushed back to 19th, but by lap 26 had moved into P11.
“The car was really good on in-between conditions today”, said Johnson.
“We had a set up for half wet, half dry conditions so that was the only time when we were really going to excel.”
“When the track was greasy we were the fastest car by a mile but unfortunately for us it didn’t stay that way all day.”
In a dramatic race where the lead changed 20 times Johnson said he was just pleased to get the car home in good condition.
“There were some pretty hairy moments out there,” he said.
“So to finish top ten in those circumstances was a pretty good result.”
Race 4 provided Johnson’s team mate James Moffat with his first opportunity to race a V8 Supercar in wet conditions.
Tyre issues in qualifying resulted in a P24 Start for Moffat, who said the team strategy was to stay out of trouble.
“I was just focused on not making any mistakes in the wet,” he said.
As the slippery track started to take its toll on more seasoned competitors, Moffat methodically worked his way through the field, at one point reaching P12.
“Our strategy was paying off for us and we were moving up through the field, picking off a few cars and also gaining positions from guys who were making mistakes.” Moffat said.
On lap 54 Moffat was forced into the garage when his wipers and power steering failed, only managing to rejoin the field for several laps late in the race.
“It was good work by the boys to try and fix everything and as a result we got back out there and managed to classify as a finisher” he said.