Two top tens for JBR

Will Davison and Steve Johnson have both finished in the top ten of the 2008 V8 Supercars drivers Championship after the final round at Oran Park this afternoon, with their combined points tally giving Jim Beam Racing a superb third place in the V8 Supercar Teams Championship.

Davison finished the season in fifth place on the points table, his highest placing since entering the series after a stellar year behind the wheel of his Jim Beam Falcon, where he recorded his first ever race and round win early at Eastern Creek breaking a seven year drought for the team.

“Coming into the year my aim was to finish in the top five. said Davidson.

“So to achieve that is very satisfying and to get some race wins and a round win under my belt was a fantastic effort by everyone at Jim Beam Racing.

Johnson was tenth overall in the Championship, a fine effort after a slower start to the season; he was consistent and quick in the latter half of the year to push into a deserved top ten spot.

“Top ten in the Championship is a very solid effort. said a contented Johnson.

“I probably had a bit of bad luck at a few rounds at the start of the year that really affected my position on the points table early on in the peice.

While both he and Davison didn’t enjoy the best of weekends in tough conditions at the final round at the Oran Park circuit this weekend, their combined effort for third place in the Teams Championship is a valiant performance as the team looks ahead to 2009 with new equipment on the way.

Davidson said: “It was certainly a tough weekend at Oran Park and we found ourselves under the pump a lot of the time so I am glad we were able to hold off there and finish inside the top five, I think Steve and I have enjoyed really good seasons and I’m looking forward to 2009.”

With two drivers inside the top ten at the end of the year, Jim Beam Racing looks ahead to 2009 with two brand new Ford FG’s on the way that will see them well and truly in the thick of things at the front of next year’s field.

Davison started the Oran Park Grand Finale’s second race in tenth position this afternoon; however a coming together with Lee Holdsworth had him battling through the race eventually crossing in 15th position.

Johnson started from 15th in race two and rocketed off the line to 11th place, eventually getting home in ninth position after trying conditions and a difficult car set up had him battling with his Jim Beam Falcon to stave off challenges from the rear.

“To fight back and have a solid endurance season and then really have some good consistent qualifying and race results late in the year was very pleasing and really gives me renewed confidence heading into 2009.

“It was tough today, we probably went with the wrong set up and the car was quite difficult to drive but we got it home and I’m pleased to finish the season in the top ten.”

The final race of the weekend saw both Davison (21st) and Johnson (16th) fighting to ensure not only the team kept third spot in the Teams Championship, but to solidify their own spots in the top ten, and while they were uncharacteristically in the back half of the field, both did enough to ensure they finished in the top ten and brought home a top three spot for Jim Beam Racing.

Dick Johnson summed it up by saying: “It’s a remarkable effort when you think about it, top three in the Teams Championship doesn’t come easily at all, and to have both guys in the top ten is a great performance; not only by the drivers but the entire team.

“We are up against some teams with much newer equipment and larger budgets, but bring on 2009 with some new cars; I think we are going to be very strong next year.”