Denyer's V8 Supercar Career "Comfortably" Back on Track

Written on the 24 March 2009

It was all about being comfortable for Grant Denyer during his V8 Supercar comeback at last weekends Clipsal 500, following a major back injury last September. The SEVEN Network host of Australia’s Got Talent returned in the CRIMSAFE Ford for Round 1 of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series, and while it wasn’t a spectacular return to form, it showed the potential for a return to the pointy end of the field.

“We worked hard on getting the seating position right prior to the meeting, so we could reduce as much strain on my lower back as possible, and we kept the Dick Johnson prepared FORD fairly soft in the suspension for the weekend, to avoid any real jarring effect that may impact on the injury,” Denyer explained. “To be quick in Adelaide, you have to use the kerbs and  that can be pretty violent – on the car and the driver, so we elected a softly, softly approach knowing that I still have a fair bit of work to do on my fitness before the next round.”

Grant finished 8th overall for the weekend, and although a number of minor issues frustrated what should have been a better weekend, he was relatively happy with the result and to leave Adelaide with a straight car.


“My 2 fastest qualifying laps were taken off for jumping the kerbs at Turn 2, and both of those laps were on brand new “green” tyres, so we started from position 12 on the grid, when realistically we should have been at least 7th. We had a better set up in practice when the car was 3rd fastest however went the wrong way for qualifying and then paid the price for the rest of the weekend. The set up meant the car didn’t come on until the last 5 laps of the race, and in 24 lap races, you simply aren’t in the game if you not on the money in the early laps.”

The CRIMSAFE Ford has since been commandeered by James Courtney for this weekends Australian Grand Prix V8 Supercar races, following heavy damage to his new FG Ford last weekend. The car will be re-stickered for the Melbourne event and no doubt an anxious Grant Denyer will be watching his new baby over the pit wall. Grant will drive for the Decorug team in the 2009 MINI Challenge Series with Round 1 this weekend.

CLIPSAL 500 Weekend Summary:

Practise One:  A fuel issue left Grants car stranded on the back straight for much of the session, losing valuable track time and putting the team a session behind.

Practise Two:  A good session, 3rd fastest and .5 of s second off David Russell’s fastest time.

Qualifying:  Set up changes didn’t work as planned, and 2 fastest laps lost due to kerb jumping – qualified 12th.

Race 1:
Blinding start, picked up 4 off the start, then had to miss an incident on the way to Turn 4 – locking a brake and nosing into the tyre wall. Grant couldn’t select reverse to back out, and the team couldn’t communicate with him due to a “radio blackspot.” He went a lap down, and pitted for a tyre change before finishing 11th.
The brake oscillating valve replaced after Race 1 to help with brake balance issues.

Race 2:
Started 11th, finished 7th – uneventful run to finish 8th overall in the Championship.