Brad Jones to Retire - *CONFIRMED*

GtiMagic · 2 May 2007, 00:40 (Ref:1904639)

It's what i'm hearing, so..

Whats everyones reaction going to be when its announced that David Benard will make a full time return to the Championship Series at Winton replacing the outgoing Jones Snr?

It also means he will have to hand back the spare set of keys for the Jeldwen car that he had in readiness for Sandown and Bathurst?

If true why would anyone who is trying to fight their way back in to this series give up a potential sandown/bathurst win to drive a BOC car? Why o why?

bentate · 2 May 2007, 00:54 (Ref:1904640)

If true, maybe he views three quarters of a season with an ordinary team is better than two races with a good team?

If Brighty is any guide, Bezzy might be able to get more pace out of the BOC cars and therefore shift at least one of them into a possible top ten position ( personally I think Andrew Jones is hopeless).

After all, they use SBR engines and as Bright showed, there's plenty of speed in them with the right bloke on board.

I have to say that if this is true it's the right decision. Brad really should have given it away a couple of years ago and I don't understand why he bothered to start 07' (unless there were contractual issues to comply with or Bezzy was avoiding signing on the dotted line).

Either way, it will be sad to see Jonesy go. He's 'old school' and yet another driver from the early V8 days that the series will lose.

Good luck and happy retirement Bradley...

db120176 · 2 May 2007, 01:12 (Ref:1904645)

Brad Jones has been one of the characters in Australian motorsport, have been a fan since the old Klaas Starion in the old Group E days.

Shock is just about the right description about his replacement. I know we're all a little more green aware these days, but hiring David Besnard may be taking recycling too far

Just Do It! · 2 May 2007, 01:27 (Ref:1904652)

When Bezzy drove the Hydraulink car in NZ in the NZ V8 Series, he did really well .... as long as the car got to the end of the event without trailing oil/smoke/a combination of both or spent time sitting in pitlane.

I'm still not 100% certain that his driving results when he was a "Stone's Temple Pilot" were entirely his fault, and he probably does deserve another go.

It makes a lot of sense given his SBR ties and the BJR SBR ties to give him some driving miles, but you would have to question the motives and cincept a little bit - a comeback drive in a BJR car could be worse than his last fulltime gig in some respects, as it could be some time before the cars are at a point to show the driver's true ability.

However, if he is getting some race miles before he takes over the Caltex car next year, then it's a very smart move....as long as that contract is inked, otherwise as a driver, I would be more than marginally nervous about the whole situation!

TSR · 2 May 2007, 01:30 (Ref:1904653)

It has being on the rumour mill & cards for a while now that BJ was hanging up the helmet, but I would of thought he'd wait till season end.

**GTRMagic** · 2 May 2007, 01:38 (Ref:1904658)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentate

After all, they use SBR engines and as Bright showed, there's plenty of speed in them with the right bloke on board.

Umn, when did Mr Bright drive a BF Falcon with SBR engines aboard?

STEALTHY · 2 May 2007, 01:55 (Ref:1904670)

Its not suprise really. Wheres the fun in being a backmarker for your career (has he had a win? i havn't been around supercars long enough to remember)

Guess that sponser on the bottom of his car wont be getting any coverage, guess he'll have to give Morris a call

bentate · 2 May 2007, 02:03 (Ref:1904675)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Umn, when did Mr Bright drive a BF Falcon with SBR engines aboard?

I meant BJR use SBR engines and Bright showed (by using a BJR chasis) that a good driver can find plenty of time in the cars. My point being that a combination of a good chasis (that Bright showed was capabale) and SBR power should allow a good driver to get plenty more out of the BJR cars.

Sorry for the confusion.

Pro Racer · 2 May 2007, 02:07 (Ref:1904677)

if true well done Brad on a great career, and now we can get rid of DEnyer and have Brad as pit reporter.

SRabbit · 2 May 2007, 03:32 (Ref:1904695)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Umn, when did Mr Bright drive a BF Falcon with SBR engines aboard?

Rumour was Bright attended the BJR test before NZ to get an idea of their chassis, even though the one he was getting was built in 1948.

The story goes Brad did some hot runs, brought it in, Bright climbed in and almost immediately went a full second quicker than Brad, making some quip about Jones having the floor mat stuck under the throttle as he departed the car....

Peddler · 2 May 2007, 04:06 (Ref:1904704)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwr fan

if true well done Brad on a great career, and now we can get rid of DEnyer and have Brad as pit reporter.

AMEN BROTHER!

I can not stand the dwarf... Brad would be a great asset to 7 as a reporter. Infact i think anyone would be good for 7 as a reporter

ford71 · 2 May 2007, 04:33 (Ref:1904708)

Will be a shame to see Brad move on if true, although the time comes foreveryone eventually.

And if this keeps Besnard out of #4 for the enduros, I support it whole-heartedly

Trevor · 2 May 2007, 04:39 (Ref:1904710)

I would think that Brad will stay on with the team, if true, it doesn't say he is selling the team, just not driving anymore.

Don't get all carried away

billy bigtime · 2 May 2007, 04:40 (Ref:1904711)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford71

Will be a shame to see Brad move on if true, although the time comes foreveryone eventually.

And if this keeps Besnard out of #4 for the enduros, I support it whole-heartedly

I'll drink to that.

**GTRMagic** · 2 May 2007, 04:44 (Ref:1904712)

The whispers from the powder room suggests that there are 4 contenders for this seat, and that is may not be a lay down misere for Mr Besnard to take the BOC ride... especially if there is a possibility of replacing Mr Ingall permanently in Mr Besnards old #9 ride........

Co-contenders are allegedly as listed in AA, including Mr Wills, Mr Murchison, Mr Brede and Mr Besnard.... with an outsider according to the spin merchants is FDVS points leader Mr D'Alberto...

..presuming any of this actually happened....

ford71 · 2 May 2007, 04:52 (Ref:1904716)

Just thinking about the timing here and I am surprised that Brad would step aside before he has a last-time attempt at the 2 enduros. The last few years, I felt he was only still in the seat so he could tackle the mountain again.

Time will tell

Falcadore · 2 May 2007, 07:38 (Ref:1904770)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GtiMagic

It's what i'm hearing, so..

Whats everyones reaction going to be when its announced that David Benard will make a full time return to the Championship Series at Winton replacing the outgoing Jones Snr?

It also means he will have to hand back the spare set of keys for the Jeldwen car that he had in readiness for Sandown and Bathurst?

If true why would anyone who is trying to fight their way back in to this series give up a potential sandown/bathurst win to drive a BOC car? Why o why?

Can this forum please stop inventing David Besnard rumours please? Towards the end of last season he was in a quater of the cars on the grid, even though some had been confirmed elsewhere, and he ended up getting none of them.

I mean seriously, it's not even funny any more.

Peddler · 2 May 2007, 07:55 (Ref:1904780)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcadore

Can this forum please stop inventing David Besnard rumours please? Towards the end of last season he was in a quater of the cars on the grid, even though some had been confirmed elsewhere, and he ended up getting none of them.

I mean seriously, it's not even funny any more.

I hear that Besnard is testing for Skoda in the Latvian ice circuit rally-cross team

**GTRMagic** · 2 May 2007, 08:37 (Ref:1904806)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcadore

Can this forum please stop inventing David Besnard rumours please? Towards the end of last season he was in a quater of the cars on the grid, even though some had been confirmed elsewhere, and he ended up getting none of them.

I mean seriously, it's not even funny any more.

This one has more presence than any of last year's assertions Falcadore... would be nice to see one of the options come to fruition

marcus · 2 May 2007, 08:54 (Ref:1904815)

I dont know.

Brad still Loves driving , allthough not totally enjoying it at the moment , but he still loves doing it.

His home track is Winton so maybe he wont step down for that and have one last blast.

and surely he would do the enduro's ??

seems all strange to me , people are quick to jump on people when they are down , I dunno maybe Im looking through rose coloured glasses as I am a local fan of Brad and his efforts in all racing not just V8's.

surely if this rumor is true then it would be for next year not and half way through this year ?

can anyone shed some more information on this at all ? and not just rumour ?

billybanana · 2 May 2007, 08:56 (Ref:1904817)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

.... with an outsider according to the spin merchants is FDVS points leader Mr D'Alberto...

Doubt that one...with the family owning a Holden dealership.... now that would very surprising.

**GTRMagic** · 2 May 2007, 08:59 (Ref:1904819)

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybanana

Doubt that one...with the family owning a Holden dealership.... now that would very surprising.

They own a Nissan dealership too... maybe he can run a GT-R

**GTRMagic** · 2 May 2007, 09:01 (Ref:1904821)

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcus

can anyone shed some more information on this at all ? and not just rumour ?

The mysterious powder room suggests that the scenario is accurate... that Mr Jones has allegedly decided to replace himself... with immediate effect.

It would take a very strong character to do that... to realise that for every beginning there has to be an end... I hope Mr Jones has made peace with his choice, assuming it has happened of course

, and doesnt want to try a comeback.....

... presuming any of this actually happened...

A9X05 · 2 May 2007, 09:12 (Ref:1904829)

I am thinking that Brad could once again share the seat along side with one of his old team mates Neil Crompton...............Behind a mike at 7! If all is true!

naughtymutt · 2 May 2007, 09:30 (Ref:1904846)

brad was a commentator on v8's with 7 before (back in the days when it was on late at night), it would be good to see him back.

however, i would much rather see brad have one last crack at the mountain, with John Cleland as co-driver.

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