I’m gearing up for Christmas and a break to recharge my batteries after a long year of racing. Some of it was successful and some of it wasn’t and in this post I will give you my end of season thoughts.
But first what I have been up to.
Tasman had our ride day at Phillip Island last Tuesday and between us Murph and I put around 130 people through. It doesn’t sound like a lot but when you have to be in the car all day it’s actually quite hard work. I was chuffed to take my dad for a spin around the circuit though.
Ever since I was a kid he has been supporting my racing – he still is now as a part of Tasman, he looks after my tyres and has done for the last seven years. In terms of getting tyre pressures right he has the most sophisticated technique in pit lane, and does a great job.
He has been doing a great job for me since I started racing. He used to do my car setups when I was racing Minis and was my engineer back in those days looking after all aspects of the car and getting it right for me, so I owe him a lot for helping to get me to where I am today.
The ride days give people a chance to get inside the car and really understand how violent the movements of the car are, especially under brakes. Something else they are always surprised at are the fumes, which when you are at places like Adelaide and under a Safety car are close to unbearable.
At this time of year it is also important for me to thank Char for all she has done and to answer a question from my comments section; yes it is hard to juggle a family and drive a V8 Supercar, but I would say no more than having any other job you are committed to. There is always travel which is part of the job, but fortunately Char often accompanies her husband to races and indulges his passion for eating, drinking and sleeping motorsport an average of 20 hours a day.
Anyway, as promised, on to my year, and what a back half of the season we had. We were quite strong and had good speed in the second half of 2007, however my execution wasn’t always terrific and as I wrote a couple of weeks ago I had no one to blame but myself for Phillip Iisland when I botched the first two races.
It was great to be on the podium at Indy, and having a big crack at Bathurst when we were only 1.1 seconds behind the winner was also a good result. It was the race where we really closed the gap.
High Points: The last race at Indy. I thoroughly enjoyed that one, it was a really good scrap between Russell, Steve Richards and I. Also the last race at Phillip Island where I was passing a lot of cars and had tremendous speed before a mechanical problem.
Low Points: The first race at Phillip Island and spearing off in similar circumstances at Winton, were both disappointing.
Best Driver: Garth Tander – The results speak for themselves and Garth deserved the title.
Most Improved Driver: Lee Holdsworth – Lee did a super job in 2007.
Most Improved Team: Tasman Motorsport – Honestly we improved a lot this year. We moved up seven spots in the teams championship and Greg won the Sidchrome award this year for moving up 14 places from where Jonesy was last year. All that suggests we are a team on the improve. However outside of us I would say Dick Johnson Racing.
Scariest Moment: Without a doubt occurred when my suspension collapsed at Pukekohe and I couldn’t slow down. It wasn’t a good feeling and I don’t want to ever have it again.
Just have a few comments on driver movements now. I think Paul Dumbrell has a tremendous opportunity to go to a very good team and show what he has got.
Todd Kelly will make a difference at Jack Daniels Racing. The combination of Jack and Shane was probably a little green last year and Todd will give them the experience they need and help them to set up the cars a lot better.
It’s also good to see Russell Ingall back in a Holden.
While we have had our fair share of movement so have the F1 guys lately and with Alonso finally announcing one of the worst kept secrets in F1, there is a spare seat at McLaren. I wonder who will get it and whether anyone will attempt to get out of their contract to hop in a McLaren?
I think I will be cheering for Piquet next year, much like I did when I was 8. It may be a different Nelson Piquet, but if he is anything like his father he will be exciting to watch.
Finally thanks to everyone who has contributed to the blog and helped make it a success this year. Thank you for all the well wishes and comments and I look forward to winning plenty of races in 2008.
Jase
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Congratulations on a great year Jase. I’d like to announce my season review:
Before the season started: A big thanks to the boys who let me have a tour. I’m grateful now.
Adelaide: New season, new car, new troubles. Too much tyre grip wrecked race 1 for you.
Barbagallo: This is where I think Tasman started to come along this year. Good drive.
Pukekohe: Great performance in R1, unfortunate R2, shame they shortened R3, would have been in the points.
Winton: Definently a highlight of this year. Believe it or not I was about to leave the trailer area before you came before R2. Thanks for the time you gave me. Interesting (from your view) what happened in R1. However whenever I met anyone they have a bad race. Murph I didn’t meet on the Sunday, so that’s how he went well, eh?
Eastern Creek: How was Murph’s car?
Hidden Valley: It wasn’t a bad run from you after spinning in R1.
Queensland: Geez you did well on that boring track.
Open Day: The rim is still in “really good condition” since you signed it! Oh and the car looked really good.
Oran Park: Geez Jamie… why did you give Jase’s podium away…
Sandown: The drive through made the officials look very stupid, and Verdnik ran out of fuel! Bad race. However me and you getting together again was pretty good!
Bathurst: It would have been better if you guys were on the podium again. Fetch me 3 rocks! (only kidding!)
Surfers Paradise: That was one of the best races this year for you. Yep you beat Murph in the podiums.
Bahrain: WOW! No scratches at all I hear amazingly!
Symmons Plains: Really solid all weekend and well done in R3.
Phillip Island: Alright. A Winton the 2nd sort of thing. From a great qualifying performance to no points wasn’t a great way to end your equal best ever season.
Afterwards: If you guys keep Rockstar I could just imagine what it’d look like next year. And yep, Murph beat you in the standings. Where I want you to win races are Adelaide, Hamilton, Queensland, Winton, Sandown, Bathurst, Indy, oh stuff it… just win every single race next year. Oh and win the 1000 by more than 6 laps will you? And make a 2:05 time as well.
See YA JASE! Oh! How’d you go in the kart race?
Next year Jase… next year…
Just wanted to thank you very much for keeping us up to date with what you, your family and the Tasman Team are doing. I really enjoy reading your blog. Wishing you and yours a happy holiday and look forward to reading more during the 2008 V8 Supercar season.
Cheers …. Anne (NZ)
hey Jase,
just wanted to again wish you Char and little Sienna a very merry christmas and a happy new year. i saw a picture of Sienna the other day and cannot believe how big she is, my goodness.
i got your message from the gala night (well sort of, i received the file, but unfortunately i cannot open it at the moment, stoopid modern technology!!) apparently it was something about who had the better blog, it was me right?? hehe.
i liked your recap of 2007. it helped me remember some rounds, as i have a memory like a gold fish - lol. barbagello was your favourite right?? hehehehe i know i know. its not the best track in the circuit.
anyway, i will hopefully see you at the Clipsal next year. send on my best wishes to Char and Sienna for me.
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year
Bron
http://kerry24au.bigblog.com.au
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Justin Walton
Wednesday, 19 December 2007 3:41:35 PM
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from John and Justin at Phoenix Business Health. Don’t forget to pick up your sunnies at some time. John tries to wear them home.
I hope you three have a wonderful christmas, although i’m sure you will with it being little Sienna’s first christmas. I bet you’re spoiling her!
Some of us have to work over christmas which is why I haven’t posted before now! Last night was great though, the power went out so we were all standing around looking at each other for 2 hours until we got sent home.
Thanks for a fantastic 2007 Jase, i’ve got some great memories from this year! All the best for 2008 and here’s hoping you can win the title.
I’ll have to be impartial next year being at Tafe (I so hope I don’t have to work at ford!) so i’ll just have to silently cheer you on. Are you making the trip up for the Bathurst 12 hour? I’m most likely going up with Tafe’s Hyundai Sonata so should be a good time.
Before I go, is it true that Wally’s left Tasman? Coz if thats the case its a bit sad, Wally was awesome.
Merry christmas and a happy new year! I hope the jolly fat man is kind to you hehe