There was plenty of talk among V8 Supercar drivers and teams at Phillip
Island last weekend about the 'Car Of The Future' project.

Mark Skaife, who is in charge of the COTF, has reportedly provided
documents to the V8 Supercars Australia board, and there is a chance the
regulations may be finalised before the end of the year.

The aim of the COTF is to reduce chassis costs by $100,000 down to about
$250,000, which is a positive move as teams face challenging economic
times.

I'm told there are other cost-cutting measures planned, including
designs and engines, which may entice other manufacturers to join Ford
and Holden in our championship.

The long-term goal is for the new cars to hit the track in 2012.

From a driver's perspective, I hope is they don't slow the cars down too
much and make them boring.

Those in charge of finalising the COTF regulations will have to find a
compromise between reducing costs, but at the same time ensuring the
cars still have plenty of performance.

There was also considerable speculation at Phillip Island about driver
changes and team movements for 2010. This is usual at this time of the
year, or the 'silly season' as it's known.

My deal is already in place to continue with Jim Beam Racing next year.
This type of continuity is good because the team and I can continue to
build on our first season together.

Lap times were generally slower at Philip Island in last weekend's
championship event, compared to when we previously visited the 4.4km
Victorian circuit for the 500km endurance race in September.

For example, my best qualifying lap in September was 1-minute
33.330-seconds, but my times for the two qualifying sessions last
weekend were 1-minute 34.550-seconds before race one on Saturday, and
1-minute 36.031-seconds before race two on Sunday.

The main reasons my lap times were slower last weekend, compared to
September, was warmer weather, plus I struggled with car set-up. I
couldn't find the car speed I needed all weekend.

I qualified my FG Falcon 13th for the first race (100km) and finished
ninth. In the second race (200km) I started 18th and came through to end
up fourth, which was a good result considering my grid position.

I made one of my best starts this year in the second race, passing
several cars in the run to Turn One and Turn Two. Gaps kept opening in
front of me and I was able to take advantage.

In the middle stages of the second race I narrowly missed a big accident
after the Safety Car was called onto the circuit.

The drama unfolded because the Safety Car was stationary on the front
straight waiting for Jamie Whincup's race-leading Team Vodafone Falcon
to arrive.

I saw the Safety Car for the first time as I came over the 'crest' at
about 250km/h, and there were several slow-moving cars in front of me.

Fortunately I managed to squeeze through a small gap and avoid hitting
anything. Phillip Island is a high-speed track, and it's not a place
where you want to have a big shunt!

I scored 204 points from my results in two races, and retained ninth
position in the championship.

Jamie Whincup strengthened his chance of a second successive
championship title by winning both races.

Before Phillip Island he led Will Davison (Holden Racing Team) by 32
points, but the gap between them is now 122, with two events remaining.

Our next event is at Barbagallo Raceway near Perth from November 20-22.
Traditionally this circuit is tough on tyres because it is surrounded by
sand which makes the surface abrasive.

I've won one race this year, at Townsville, and had four other top-three
podium finishes. My aim is to win more races before the end of the
season for our team, all the JBR fans, and my personal sponsors
JELD-WEN.

Keep smiling.

JC

PHILLIP ISLAND RESULTS - JAMES COURTNEY
EVENT 12, V8 Supercar Championship, (November 7-8)

Qualifying - Race 1: 13th
Race 1 Result: 9th
Qualifying - Race 2: 18th
Race 2 Result: 4th

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after event 12): Jamie Whincup (Ford) 2,905; Will
Davison (Holden) 2,783; Garth Tander (Holden) 2,565; Craig Lowndes
(Ford) 2,292; Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 1,964; Steven Johnson (Ford)
1,961; Rick Kelly (Holden) 1,925; Lee Holdsworth (Holden) 1,817; James
Courtney (Ford) 1,790; Shane Van Gisbergen (Ford) 1,679.