Jim Beam expects a podium finish

Jim Beam Racing arrived in the hot and sandy surrounds of Bahrain earlier this week as the team ventured to the second of two internationally hosted rounds in this year’s V8 Supercar Championship.
New Zealand was the first overseas stop when the Championship was contested in Hamilton back in April, however this weeks Bahrain trip poses a much larger task for drivers, crew, and sponsors alike.

With transit times of more than 30 hours seeing the team set foot in Bahrain on Tuesday morning, it was a quick moving operation after the Indy event just a week prior to have everything packed and ready to leave for the Bahrain International Circuit.

Steve Johnson and Will Davison need only look back at last year’s results at the 3.6km Bahraini circuit for inspiration this weekend.

Johnson put in a stellar performance at 2007’s Bahrain event, qualifying on the front row of the grid and finishing on the podium and third overall for the event, his best individual performance of the 2007 season.

“We can’t quite claim it as a happy hunting ground but to go there last year and be right on the pace for qualifying puts us in a strong position for this year’s round,” said Johnson.

“We had a very good car at Indy last round, so we are in good shape for Bahrain and I’m just looking to finish the year off well and try and get another podium under my belt.”

Davison also has reason to be quietly confident heading to the Championship’s Middle Eastern circuit; having qualified in 12th position in 2007 he worked is way into the top ten for all three races.

A third placed finish in the second race was Davison’s best result in Bahrain last year, just missing the podium with fourth overall to sit behind Johnson on points for the round.

“Jim Beam Racing had a very successful trip to this circuit last year with both cars in the top four so we feel have a good grasp on what is required to get things right this weekend,” said Davison.

“Travelling such a long distance throws a different element of preparation into the mix; travel has been quite frequent in these last few weeks but it doesn’t prepare you for the long flight to Bahrain however I am looking forward to the event,” he said.

Jim Beam Racing will run a different livery for the Gulf Air Desert 400 this weekend, strict rules regarding alcohol advertising in Bahrain will see it run ‘The Team’ livery that featured on the cars at last year’s corresponding event.