Dick Johnson Racing today revealed another part of the team restructure by confirming New Zealand born driver Jonny Reid to a full time seat for the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship. Reid is no stranger to racing in Australia and was the stand out performer in the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship winning four rounds of the series. The new signing joins Tim Blanchard, another young charger, who like Reid has raced successfully in open wheelers in Europe in their early careers. Team owner Dick Johnson believes the signing of two young talented drivers begins a new chapter for the DJR team.
“We were impressed with Tim Blanchard and he tested well for us last week in Sydney. With Steve stepping down we had a number of younger drivers in our sights and Jonny was the stand out.” Johnson said. “He has raced in a multitude of classes all over the world and has had great success. We saw him as a perfect fit. With renewed and enthusiastic sponsorship support we can really work on bringing these two blokes to the front of the V8 Supercar grid.” Dick concluded.
At the announcement of the deal Jonny Reid commented, “My aim since 2011 was to focus on a full time V8 Supercar drive. This is a world class series and after a great run in the enduros last year I was very hungry to try and step up. To be able to begin my fulltime driving with a DJR is fantastic. I have got to know Steve well and we spoke at length at the Bathurst 12 Hour.” Reid said “Once we knew the deal could progress and Wilson Security came on board the #12 DJR car it was full steam ahead. I am really looking forward to rolling the car out at Clipsal.” Reid concluded.
The Dick Johnson Racing team heads to the Clipsal 500 with the Wilson Security #12 to be driven by Jonny Reid and the famous DJR #17 Advam Falcon to be piloted by Tim Blanchard.
