BJR show endurance strength again
18/9/2004 17:47 (Press Release) -
Starting from 21st place on the grid, BJR duo of Brad Jones and John Bowe have stormed home finish 7th in the first of the V8 Supercar endurance races, today’s Sandown 500 in Melbourne.
It was a superb effort by the highly experienced driver pairing, who delivered on their strategy of staying out of trouble. The race, flecked with multiple safety car periods, saw the two rise 14 places throughout the 500 kilometre battle. Team owner and multiple Australian champ, Brad Jones completing a double stint to bring the OzEmail Falcon home.
“After the frustration of yesterday’s qualifying, our result today couldn’t have been much better for us. It was a tough race with a heap of safety cars [periods] and it was difficult to get into a groove. I was happy though, to do a double stint and stay competitive for the last 100 laps, was really pleasing,” said Brad Jones.
Jones’ effort during the middle stages of the race created the opportunity to keep him in the #12 OzEmail Falcon for the last part of the race. A decision fully condoned by team mate John Bowe.
“Brad’s performance today was fantastic. He did a great job during some of the toughest periods of the race and when we had the choice of changing drivers during one of the safety car stages, I fully supported the decision to keep Brad in the car,” said Bowe.
“I’m really happy with our result today. We probably didn’t have the speed in the car to be on the podium but to be inside the top half dozen or so in these endurances races is a huge effort. It’s credit to these great guys at BJR,” Bowe said further.
It was devastating day for the second OzEmail Falcon of Andrew Jones and John Cleland. The #21 Ford only on the track for 10 laps. A broken tail shaft which also affected the gearbox prematurely ending the day for the two top ten hopefuls.
“When you have such a huge build up for a race like we have had, you can’t help but be bitterly disappointed with what happened today. We had already jumped five places when the tail shaft went, so we all thought we could be in for a good day. It couldn’t have been further from the truth,” said a shattered Andrew Jones.
Coming all the way from Scotland, John Cleland didn’t even get a chance to take part in the race. The former multiple British Touring Car Champ philosophical about the day’s proceedings – “Well, I guess it’s just part of motor racing. It’s tough to hide any disappointment because I’ve been looking forward to this race since last year but now we have to concentrate on Bathurst.”
With just four weeks to go until the biggest race of the year, BJR are now in full preparations for the Bathurst 1000 on October 10th.
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