Fullwood identifies fix that will get BJR in the mix
BJR drivers gained 36 spots across Bathurst 500 races
12th was best BJR qualifying result in Bathurst
Bryce Fullwood made up 13 spots in the two races
Should Brad Jones Racing get on top of its qualifying woes, Bryce Fullwood believes the Albury team will be in the fight at the front.
All four BJR drivers started deep in the pack for both races at the Thrifty Bathurst 500 after struggling in qualifying trim.
However, the cars came alive in the 250km races, with the quartet combining to gain 36 positions across both races.
The #14 Middy’s Electrical Camaro made up 13 positions across the two races, Fullwood jumping from 12th to seventh in Race 1, and 20th to 12th in Race 2.
Fullwood’s eight-position gain in Race 2 was matched by teammate Andre Heimgartner in Race 1, with the #8 R&J Batteries Camaro racing from 17th to ninth.
Macauley Jones moved the #96 Pizza Hut Chevrolet from 24th to 19th, and 23rd to 20th, while rookie Jaxon Evans gained three positions in each race, despite crashing late in Race 2 amid foot burn issues.
BJR is now readying for a crucial weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, where the sprint races will feature no pit stops, making qualifying even more important.
“[On Sunday] we didn't hit qualifying. I'm not really too sure why — the car felt really good. Just didn't produce a lap time. So that was a little bit disappointing for us,” Fullwood said.
"So we started the race 20th, and again, had a really good race car… to come home 12th with what I had going on, I'm really, really happy with that.
"I think we can hold our heads high knowing we have a really good race car and we just got to quali a bit further up front and we'll be well in the mix.”
Macauley Jones echoed Fullwood’s comments, saying: "Qualifying we're struggling to piece a lap together. The car feels actually okay, but doesn't really produce a very fast lap time, which can be a bit confusing.”
Fullwood is the lead BJR driver in the championship standings in ninth, with Heimgartner 14th, Jones 21st, and Evans 22nd.
BJR has form at Albert Park — Fullwood was a consistent factor at the front, Jones scored two top 10s, while Heimgartner claimed his first podium of the season in the finale.
