Dick Johnson Racing Sign New Driver

ford boy · 1 Dec 2003, 00:32 (Ref:799699)

Well done to them, since Bathurst they have found quite a bit of car speed but seem to have had a few engines let go this year. From memory, 2 at Oran Park, and in New Zealand did a engine swap on both cars before race 3 and then junior blew one during race 3, then yesterday at the creek.
But good to see they are getting on top of the BA, hope it goes onto next year.

bathurst · 1 Dec 2003, 00:39 (Ref:799702)

First podium since Rd 2 2002 at Phillip Island.. Bout time

RaceTime · 1 Dec 2003, 01:17 (Ref:799717)

Interesting, also, that their media releases this weekend were NOT Shell Helix Racing - they came from Dick Johnson Racing...unusual to have an early termination of a sponsorship naming rights agreement.

Crash Test · 1 Dec 2003, 01:27 (Ref:799730)

I wouldn't go reading too much into that...

**GTRMagic** · 1 Dec 2003, 01:44 (Ref:799749)

Perhaps they have finally discovered that it is significantly limiting for a sponsor to come on board Shell Helix Racing as opposed to Dick Johnson Racing.

It can all be tidied up in the entrant name, but the car should always be a DJR car sponsored by Shell Helix, not a Shell Helix Racing car....

Arguably BJR has a similar issue....

TheGspot · 1 Dec 2003, 04:01 (Ref:799829)

Gtr would it not be fair to say that SHR as opposed to DJR would have more pull, If shell is the naming rights sponsor them there would be no cross sponsorship issues form similar companies anyway, whilst I agree in theory with your analysis I dont believe the issue is as large as its being made out too be. Did you notice the shell sticker on another team in a hard to see place, check the pics from the creek.

Gaz170 · 1 Dec 2003, 22:18 (Ref:800748)

One interesting point, in the interview with Polites after Marcos' series win, he mentioned the continued funding of teams like SBR, 888 & FPR.
DJR was not mentioned, deliberate or oversight???????

**GTRMagic** · 1 Dec 2003, 22:39 (Ref:800773)

Deliberate I would have thought... there are now multi tiers of support from Ford, the top lebel is SBR, 888 & FPR while BJR, DJR, SER, PLR get some funding but not the same kind of level.

Its a strategy left over from the Howard Marsden days, where you spread the cash around many teams and hope like hell they can get their act together.

I thought it was funny that Mr (Im)Polites was gloating at the performance of the many Ford teams, when it was only SBR who was a championship contender from the blue side at any time this year.

And TheGspot, the only cars I noticed with Shell stickers are the DJR units, and on Tratt's machine...

mac · 2 Dec 2003, 09:11 (Ref:801222)

Max was awesome last weekend. Instead of losing performance towards the end of races (as he has done for most of his career), he was actually very racey in the 2nd half of Sunday's race. And he had dropped back to 10th early in the race.

Would love to see this team stay together next year and continue to improve.

Hazza · 2 Dec 2003, 09:28 (Ref:801240)

Yeah, I've been impressed by his performance as of late, but i think he *totaly* blew the first nz round...

**GTRMagic** · 2 Dec 2003, 09:37 (Ref:801253)

Wait till they get their new technical director....

racer69 · 2 Dec 2003, 12:58 (Ref:801467)

Quote:

Originally posted by GTRMagic
Deliberate I would have thought... there are now multi tiers of support from Ford, the top lebel is SBR, 888 & FPR while BJR, DJR, SER, PLR get some funding but not the same kind of level.

Ford seem awfully confident that 888 will be able to do something. I know it is very early days, but was there really a noticeable improvement from Sandown onwards from when they took over?

ford boy · 2 Dec 2003, 23:29 (Ref:801953)

I believe 888 has done a awesome job since Sandown till the end of the season. Should be quite competitive next year i believe.

LoTeC · 3 Dec 2003, 00:06 (Ref:801972)

i believe they will be better next year as they are making new cars and components to their spec, instead of using briggs carry overs

Amaroo Park · 3 Dec 2003, 01:37 (Ref:802019)

Why dont DJR go and offer Bowe a heap of money to come back and finish his career with them

RaceTime · 3 Dec 2003, 02:05 (Ref:802049)

http://www.racenews.com.au/?racenews=4558

Quote:

Dick Johnson Racing
Dec 3 2003
LUFF JOINS SHELL HELIX RACING

Talented young Sydneysider Warren Luff has been signed by Dick Johnson's Shell Helix Racing team to contest the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Luff will drive the number 18 Shell Helix Racing Ford Falcon alongside regular Steve Johnson, after a series of outstanding co-driving and Konica series performances this season.

The 27-year-old will replace Max Wilson in the Queensland team's second entry into Australia's premier professional motor racing series.

"Shell Helix Racing is on the way back, after a couple of disappointing seasons," General Manager Steve Chalker said.

niloc · 3 Dec 2003, 02:06 (Ref:802054)

Does this mean an end to Max Wilson in Australian racing???

RaceTime · 3 Dec 2003, 02:08 (Ref:802056)

See seperate thread re new DJR signing to replace Wilson

Venom XR · 3 Dec 2003, 02:09 (Ref:802057)

Read the other 'new driver' post.

From BRutes to Supercars, that's good news. Luff is a great talent, I hope he does really well next year. Good luck Rock Dog!

niloc · 3 Dec 2003, 02:09 (Ref:802058)

I am a boof head. Just found the answer to my own question re the Betta Electrical signing

Doh

Amaroo Park · 3 Dec 2003, 02:17 (Ref:802069)

Oh well there you have it, Luff should do a good job

Scott75 · 3 Dec 2003, 03:04 (Ref:802098)

So where will Bright go now, I'm tipping he will stay put or maybe go to Perkins Motorsport. What do the rest of you think. Interesting times ahead.

V8 Superdave · 3 Dec 2003, 03:08 (Ref:802100)

Makes you wonder.... on the TV on Sunday they reported that Max had said he was staying put, and happy there....

I'd have thought that he might be at least involved in that decision... but then agai, would DJR have let him say "Nup, bugger you lot, i'm off" to the race reporters?

jetsetter · 3 Dec 2003, 03:36 (Ref:802110)

I've got to wonder how long they'll let Steven Johnson keep his drive before he gets some of the blame for their poor showings especially if 888 constantly finish ahead of him next year with his two former teammates. It's good to see Warren Luff get the drive for next year & hopefully he'll do alright next year.

devil racer nz · 3 Dec 2003, 03:44 (Ref:802112)

Hi guys - first post here!

Lets hope DJR can continue to build on this year and 'Rock Dog' can achieve some great results

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