Highs and lows for BJR on Saturday in Darwin

BJR caps Saturday with three cars in the top ten across the two races at Hidden Valley in Darwin.

There is some serious race pace across the Brad Jones Racing group which bodes well for tomorrow’s longer race.

Both Bryce Fullwood and Andre Heimgartner came close to podium results, only just missing out.

Substantial damage to the SCT Motorsport Camaro in the earlier race has ruled out Car 12 for the rest of the weekend with the team electing to not continue repairs at the track.

RACE 18

The R&J Batteries Camaro started the afternoon’s race from the third row, with Fullwood just behind in 8th.

The pair opted to take the first corner around the outside and both of them made up a position on the start.

The Middy’s Racing Camaro stopped first four four tyres on lap 22, with Heimgartner making his tour through the pitlane only three laps later, also for four tyres.

The pair had pace and were making steady progress throughout the latter parts of the race, Andre put a move on Bryce in the final few laps and was then able to get around Brodie Kostecki, sealing fourth for the Kiwi.

Fullwood however had to fend off a hungry Cam Waters, eventually leaving him behind as he fell into the traps of one of the Triple EIght cars.

The Darwin local claimed sixth on a great day for the Middy’s Racing crew.

It was a tough outing for the Pizza Hut Racing crew, Macauley Jones suffered a few offs during the race eventually finished in 19th.


RACE 17

An eventful Race 17 saw a mix of emotions for the Brad Jones Racing crew with  Evans sustaining his day-ending damage on the first lap and Bryce Fullwood within touch of a home podium.

Fullwood had qualified the Middy’s machine in 6th and was able to maintain his position through the chaos at the start.

Through strategy and a fast stop, he ended up effectively third however a hard-charging Cam Waters on four fresh tyres made his way through and Fullwood finished in fourth.

Heimgartner’s crew opted to run him long, stopping him on Lap 38/42 putting him back out in 10th.

Having started Race 17 from 21st, it was a massive result for the R&J Batteries crew.

Unfortunately Jones was also caught up in the carnage in the early part of the race, he was spun and left stranded on the track.

He continued and eventually came across the line in18th.

Evans was pushed wide and went straight into the wall on the first lap, causing substantial damage to the SCT Motorsport car.

Qualifying for the final race of the weekend takes place tomorrow at 9:05 ACST/9:35 AEST.

Andre Heimgartner
Supercars driver, #8 R&J Batteries Camaro
"I mean it ended up being pretty positive. Started out with a bit of a struggle but they managed to tune the car up and really happy with how it ended and the place we were able to get. So, solid outcome, and a good turnaround from the tough last couple months we've had."

Bryce Fullwood
Supercars driver, #14 Middy's Racing Camaro
"Really good day here at home. Phil [Keed, Race Engineer] and Jason [Bonney, Data Engineer] did a really good job with the car. It's been strong in qualifying and a strong race car, which has been really exciting. So really enjoyed my day here. Guys and girls here at Brad Jones Racing working really hard and doing a good job. It's really cool to have Andre and I up there. fourth and sixth for our two cars in that last race, which is awesome. So really good day here for us. A little bit of learning to do for overnight. But really excited to see what tomorrow brings."

Macauley Jones
Supercars driver, #96 Pizza Hut Racing Camaro
"A bit of a bad day to be honest. The car has some speed, but I'm struggling to have consistency out there. So it's a little hard to drive, but I'm trying to get my head around it. Just struggling and qualifying and to get it all pieced together today. But a new day tomorrow."

Jaxon Evans
Supercars driver, #12 SCT Motorsport Camaro
"I just want to say a massive thank you to the SCT Motorsport crew. The work and effort they put into trying to repair the car is amazing. I was watching them in the race fixing the car and then going out to do a pit stop and come right back to fixing it. Their commitment is second to none.So a big thanks to everyone at the team."