 |
|
 |
| Season in Review: Jeff Courtney |
|
|
IMPRESSIVE SEASON FOR JEFF COURTNEY IN WORLD CHALLENGE GT
Season Recap: No. 99 Kenda Tires/ProMPI/Karavan Trailers/Badger/JG Wheels/ Foerster Signs/Eibach Springs Dodge Viper Comp. Coupe
SLINGER, Wis. (Oct. 29, 2007) - Jeff Courtney and the No. 99 Kenda Tires/Pro MPI Dodge Viper posted a solid season in the SPEED World Challenge Series, finishing seventh in the overall standings and impressing in his first season in the GT division.
Courtney, nabbed to drive for Woodhouse Performance after impressively winning Rookie of the Year in the Touring Car division in 2006, made a successful and notable transition into the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, a completely different animal than his AWD Audi in the Touring Car Series. And it had its challenges within the series. The Woodhouse Performance team worked hard all season to overcome the competition deficit with the Viper in a series where domination by Cadillacs, Porsches and Corvettes kept them from competing for the win each week. Although frustrating, it was fuel for the fire for Courtney, who, despite the difficulties with the levelness of the playing field, impressed with his consistency.
The opening race of the season was telling for Courtney, as he posted an 11th place finish right out of the box. A monsoon-like rain hit the Sebring International Raceway the morning of the race, forcing Courtney to make his first start in a Viper in wet track conditions. But the combination of challenges didn't phase him. The new team, new car, new division, new group of competitors and slippery racetrack couldn't keep him from his signature clean, consistent racing. Starting off the season just outside the top-10 in points? Not bad.
At Long Beach, a new set of challenges arose: A tight street course, a group of folks from sponsor company ProMPI/MPI Coin to impress and limited track time to prepare for the race. But the resilient Courtney was awarded the Sunoco Hard Charger Award, after picking up 16 positions on his way to a 13th-place finish.
The third round of SPEED World Challenge GT competition took place at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City. It was the site of Courtney's first top-10 finish, of both his GT career and the season. He left 11 th in the championship standings, just four points out of 10th. The next race would help him break into the coveted top-10.
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
