Photos from the Jim Beam Racing Launch

Jim Beam Racing on Monday 9th March officially announced its new team line-up and livery in a spectacular unveiling of The Team at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.

Motorsport legend Dick Johnson and joint Jim Beam Racing owner Charlie Schwerkolt officially announced James Courtney as the new member of The Team before a large crowd of friends, family and media.

“It’s a really exciting time for Jim Beam Racing and I’m proud to be a part of such an iconic and established team. I’ve always admired Dick Johnson as a driver and I’m really looking forward to working with both him and Steve over the coming season” James Courtney said.

“Everything Jim Beam Racing has done preparing for the 2009 season has impressed me and I couldn’t be happier joining a team with such great Australian history. I’m confident we’ll be a front runner in this year’s Championship and Jim Beam Racing is well prepared to win races. That’s our focus for 2009” Courtney continued.

Kel Constantine, Sponsorship & Events Manager, Beam Global Australia says, “We’re now in our third year with Jim Beam Racing and have seen The Team go from strength to strength. With their continued determination and passion for the sport, we can’t wait to see what we can achieve this year”.

The Team also unveiled two new FG Falcons branded with revamped livery highlighting the distinguished red, white and gold colours of Jim Beam Racing’s logo. These Triple8 Race Engineering built cars will be powered by Jim Beam Racing engines, keeping The Team in the running for a larger share of podium finishes during 2009.

“After finishing third in the V8 Supercars Team Championship last year, we are determined to ensure Jim Beam Racing is even more competitive this year” said long-standing Jim Beam Racing driver, Steve Johnson.

“Our vehicles were built jointly by three separate teams. Triple8, Jim Beam Racing and PCR have shared information and worked on each other’s cars, leveling the playing field for the Ford contingent of the V8 Supercar series this year” Steve continued.

Along with the introduction of new rules by V8 Supercars Australia, the competitive condition of team cars will mean this year teams will have to rely on management, strategy and driver skill more than ever before.

As an exciting new characteristic of the 2009 season, pit stops will be practiced consistently due to the introduction of E85, an 85 per cent ethanol blend control fuel. E85 burns 30 per cent quicker than normal unleaded fuel, meaning teams will need to refuel at least once during every race bringing an extra element of strategic planning to the field.

The introduction of a compulsory soft compound tyre will also see the team re-examining race strategy decisions. While soft compounds are initially only to be used at certain rounds, teams are excited at the prospect of shaving at least 2 seconds from lap times at certain venues.

Team Sporting Director, Adrian Burgess acknowledged there is an expectation of consistently better on-track results for Jim Beam Racing in 2009 with a new team and a solid track record behind them.

“Jim Beam Racing is in the best place it‘s been for a very long time and we‘re ready to make 2009 a big year for us. Dick, the drivers and the whole of the team have worked extremely hard to prepare for this season and we can’t wait to get out on the track and prove it.