Photo: JBR

Tough day for Jim Beam Racing

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Jim Beam Racing team had a torrid time during qualifying for the Hamilton 400, the latest round in the V8 Supercar Championship.
Jim Beam Racing duo Steve Johnson and Will Davison were dealt a cruel blow during qualifying, the second session ending prematurely when Jamie Whincup was turned around and collided heavily with the wall at turn four of Hamilton’s street circuit.

After working tirelessly until 3:30am overnight, the Jim Beam Racing crew had Davison’s Falcon back on track for qualifying, and after working through some set up issues Davison could only manage one lap before the session was red flagged.

Johnson faced a similar scenario during the second qualifying session, ready to put in a flying lap late in the session until the red flag put a dent in his chances of a top ten qualifying effort.

Race One produced some tough racing conditions as drivers tried to muscle their way through the field, Steve Johnson’s Jim Beam Falcon taking two hits at the opening corner before he was turned around at turn two after contact from Russell Ingall, resulting in broken steering and a disappointing end to his opening race at Hamilton.

Will Davison battled valiantly throughout the opening race after taking a strong hit to the rear of his Jim Beam Falcon on the race restart.

After a yellow flag to clear the opening lap carnage and a busy pit lane as soon as the pit window opened, Davison went about ensuring he would start further up the grid for tomorrow’s racing eventually crossing in ninth position.

“After I took a hit the Jim Beam Falcon just didn’t feel right so in the end I couldn’t have asked for much more really.” Davidson said afterwards.

“It was a really tough race, it’s an unforgiving circuit and there isn’t much room on some sections of the track so it makes it difficult to pass, Frosty put a fair bit of pressure on me so I was happy to hold him off.

Steve Johnson meanwhile didn’t fair any better. “It’s hugely disappointing way to have your race ended like that, I took a few pretty big hits at the opening corner then again at turn two, in the end there was just too much damage to continue.”