Bright reflects on JR trophy win
Arguably one of Jason Bright’s best career V8 Supercar results came at Pukekohe Park Raceway last year, after a strong win in the fourth and final race secured a “pretty special” prize.
For the first time, the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy was up for grabs, awarded to the driver who accumulated the most points over the weekend.
Richards’ former team Brad Jones Racing – and Bright behind the wheel of the #8 Team BOC Commodore the late great used to drive – led the count on Saturday evening, with two races to go. Sunday was, in Bright’s words, a “pretty special day” after he qualified poorly for the first race but won the final.
“I came here hoping to be able to take the Jason Richards trophy home and actually turn that into reality was pretty special,” Bright said.
“It meant a lot for the team – we came here very strong cars and knowing it was up to us to finish the job and take the trophy home. But it doesn’t always work out that way and to actually finish the weekend, take home the trophy and have JR’s family here to celebrate was pretty special…
“He was a very integral part of this team when I arrived at BJR and very well loved and a lot of fun to be around so I think (for) everyone, it was a bit of a shock when we found out he had cancer and then obviously his passing hit the team very hard. So it still is pretty raw for everyone here – there are plenty of times that we miss him.”
The team, including Lockwood Racing’s Fabian Coulthard, was dominant in Tasmania last year, which was the preceding round to the Pukekohe meeting. And while that same form hasn’t quite returned yet for 2014, Bright is still confident in his Commodore’s pace.
“We came here a week after Tasmania knowing that we had quick cars, and like I said, it was up to us to do it right on the weekend and not make mistakes.
“So I don’t think we have quite the advantage we had here last year coming into this round, but I think we still have quick cars, so I think it’s just a matter of having a trouble free weekend.
“It’ s different to a lot of the race meetings we do where it is points over the whole weekend that mattered.”
A shocking rollover at the Adelaide season opener meant Bight began 2014 buried down in the points, but after consistent results at last event Winton, he’s up to 11th and just one point away from the top 10.
He will be looking to improve that position further this weekend over the 500km of racing, and try and go back-to-back in New Zealand.
“It’s good coming here – we’ve had pretty good cars this year and we had good cars here last year, so with the limited track time we have this weekend before we go into qualifying for the first race, that will hopefully play into our hands.
“This is a challenging place (and) one of the most exhilarating tracks we race on… You need a car you’re pretty confident with so hopefully we can roll out the gate and be somewhere near the front.”
The Jason Richards Memorial Trophy will be awarded once again this weekend, after the three 100km and one 200km races play out.
