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@JamesJakesNews @JamesJakes merchandise winners have been contacted, and all items shipped today! 5:59pm - Oct 24th 2011
Hello All! Please check @JamesJakes website for merchandise winners from last week. http://t.co/tr9jnKYb Apologies for delay, out of... 6:16pm - Oct 23rd 2011
RT @JensonButton: R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. 4:58pm - Oct 23rd 2011
RT @GrumpyGreyhead: A dark week for motorsport. RIP "Hair Bear". 4:57pm - Oct 23rd 2011
RT @JennaFryer: "Motorsports needs #IndyCar racing, #NASCAR needs IndyCar, we need motorsports to be strong in all forms in the US and a ... 4:50pm - Oct 23rd 2011
RT @stevewittich: Check out this 1989 video of @danwheldon @JayHoward88 @antdavidson, @JustinWilson22 @jensonbutton karting http://t.co ... 3:55am - Oct 19th 2011
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James Jakes shows his skills in Japan
Sep 20th 2011James Jakes came to America as an Indycar rookie: never having driven IndyCars, never having seen an oval, and certainly not running in this competitive of a field. This weekend, at the Indy Japan on the Montegi road circuit, the personable Englishman finally got to show his true skills.
Jakes gave a first show of his talent in qualifying where, not only did he make the Firestone Fast 12 for the first time this year, but continued his pace to put up a time that gave him 8th position, his best qualifying of the year. He even beat out his seasoned teammate Sebastien Bourdais by 6 spots on the grid. Both drivers went on to run the Sunday morning warm up in 4th and 5th positions, again with Jakes leading the way.
James had his best start of the season and worked his way up to 3rd place on the tough 2.9 mile Motegi road course. For almost a quarter of the race he was looking good for a podium finish. However, with success came heartbreak as on the 42nd lap James came in for what should have been a routine pit stop, the engine stalled on the exit. He rejoined the field back in 18th due to this mishap but fought back to finish 13th. Ultimately, it was a great weekend for James Jakes and the team showing serious promise and setting the pace for 2012.
"What a shame," Jakes said. "We were running so well all weekend and this, the last road course of the year. I cannot thank Dale and Don for all of their leadership and patience this year and of course having a teammate like Seb has helped me immensely this year. We can take all of this good and build an even stronger program for next year. I can't wait."
With two oval races yet to go this year, James Jakes will be joined by his oval teammate Alex Lloyd for the next two and final rounds of the season.
"What a weekend for James, and what a year for Sebastien and our team," commented team owner Dale Coyne. "We have worked hard to build the right pieces for this year and it is our goal to continue on as is, to continue to move forward and up the grid in 2012 and beyond."
The penultimate race of the IZOD Indycar Series takes place on the oval of Kentucky Speedway on the weekend of 1st -2nd October.