James Moffat.
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6:00 AM Sun 15 January, 2012
Source: BigPond Sport
IN his first year in the V8 Supercars Championship full-time, James Moffat finished 23rd in the championship.
While that may not sound so great, there were enough glimpses of form and pace from the son of four-time Bathurst winner Allan Moffat to suggest that he’s going to be a part of the grid for plenty of years to come.
There were a few highs, plenty of downs and lots of learning to be done in his first season at Dick Johnson’s iconic team, but Moffat is aiming to continue to improve this season.
BigPond Sport spoke to him when the dust had settled on last year’s V8 Supercars Championship.
Championship Position: 23rd
Best Race Result: 4th (Queensland Raceway, Gold Coast)
Best Qualifying: 6th (Gold Coast)
What is your highlight of 2011?
Fair to say the Saturday race on the Gold Coast, where I finished fourth. That was pretty decent.
What is your funniest moment from 2011?
Hanging out with the ‘Silver Fox’ himself, Steven Johnson. That’s funny in itself.
Oh, and a Norton appearance we did in Perth, which I was doing with Will Davison, Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup. Steve was there but not due to be appearing. I think he may have had a quiet ale before we dragged him up on stage to join in the fun!
It was a great night, the lads were all in good form with some great stories and the Norton customers and fans that were there all really enjoyed it.
What are you getting up to during the off-season break?
I won’t be doing much at all. A bit of chilling, a bit of speedway dirt track racing as well to go and see.
What was the race that got away from you this year?
The Gold Coast in many ways. Or Queensland Raceway. Probably more so Queensland Raceway in terms of a podium getting away. I made a mistake trying to make a pass and stalled exiting the pits from my last stop. It was the only time I stalled all year. By the end I was seconds off Giz (Shane van Gisbergen) so that was the difference.
New Year’s Resolution?
Go faster!
2012 Goal?
I think realistically I’d like to try and be in the top half of the championship (top 14). If we do a good enough job that’s definitely achievable.
2011 Rating out of 10?
Probably a 6, maybe a 6.5. Early on my qualifying was a weakness, but relative to my teammate in the second half of the year I’ve got better at that. Coming into the main series you have to step up and get on top of things.
