Johnson leads but fails to finish
14/8/2004 15:02 (Press Release) -
From third on the starting grid Shell Helix Racing's Steven Johnson showed how far the team had progressed this year when he led today's V8 race at Winton Raceway.
For the first half of the 100-lap race Johnson was never out of the top four and clearly proved that he could mix it with the best.
"I was really happy with my start and pleased with the performance of the Shell Falcon, I really enjoyed racing with the guys up the front," Steve Johnson said.
"Everything was going pretty well, we were quick, we could have been faster but the positive to take away is that we have pace.
"We did something this weekend that we haven't been able to do all year, qualify well and stay up the front.
"The progress shown by Shell Helix Racing is obvious, we are improving."
Johnson's moment in the spotlight came to an abrupt stop, literally, when a punctured front tyre forced him off the track, bogging him in the wet.
"I was running just outside the top ten at the time of the off and was
a chance at the ten but I punctured the tyre, got bogged and turned the Ford off," a disappointed Johnson said.
"I was hoping to get back to the pits to replace the tyre and finish the race but I couldn't be moved.
"I was only three laps from the finish line so it's really difficult to be so close and see strong championship points go begging."
Warren Luff also found the day frustrating, finishing the race in 20th.
"We had so much to look forward to today but it has gone pear shaped,"
Warren Luff said.
"I was turned on lap eleven and then had brake problems on lap thirty-five.
"I had to keep pumping the brakes to maintain responsiveness; at one stage this locked my rears which resulted in a visit into the sand.
"Despite the disappointment we'll keep working hard because I'm sure success is on its way."
|
|
