DJR aiming for the front.

With a new sponsorship deal with Westpoint announced last week, it's an all new look for Dick Johnson Racing in 2005 with the famous Shell livery having left the car. Crash.net's Dave McCowen caught up with Dick to find out some more.

Crash.net:
The partnership between Dick Johnson Racing and Shell Oil has been one of the few certainties of the V8 Supercar paddock. It was the longest partnership in the history of Australian Motorsport. What happened?

Dick Johnson:
Well, the Shell Corporation has had a new direction, their business has changed significantly - it's been a global change, not something that's just been in Australia.

Crash.net:
Westpoint are a new investor, coming into the sport from the financial sector. Is this an opportunity to push DJR to the front in 2005?

DJ:
It's not only good for DJR, but for Motorsport in general. It's great that companies outside the automotive industry are supporting the series.

Crash.net:
Do you think that their decision to invest in the V8 Supercars could be related to Wright Patton Shakespeare and the success they have had promoting themselves in the series?

DJ:
Quite frankly, WPS are insignificant in size compared to Westpoint. They have done a fantastic job introducing themselves to the public through the series.

Crash.net:
There's a few changes for the team this year. You've taken on Glenn (Seton) and you have a new sponsor in Westpoint. Are there any other team changes you're looking to make to build on last year's results?

DJ:
What we've put in place twelve to eighteen months ago is just beginning to take effect. It's shown from halfway through last year, it's the result of a long process - you can't change direction as a team overnight. When you're on a downhill slide, it takes a while to get the brakes on, to get around the corner, and start powering ahead in a new direction.

Crash.net:
And which direction are you aiming for?

DJ:
Certainly to get towards the front of the pack. We should be able to build on what we have in place; to get results from it.

Crash.net:
You certainly did have some good results last year; the third place at Sandown was a top effort from the team. What will Glenn bring to the team?

DJ:
Glenn has an awful lot of experience, he knows what it's like to run a team, he knows how to communicate better with the team and he has a greater appreciation for the car.

Crash.net:
We've seen a lot of changes in the V8 Supercar pack this year; sponsors seem to be coming and going quite a lot. Why do you think this is happening?

DJ:
There's not too many going, and we certainly haven't lost the Shell Company, they've been on board with us since 1967. There are many more companies coming on board now, the sport is very healthy.

Crash.net:
Perhaps the sponsorship traffic further increase as a result of the increasing international profile of the V8 Supercar series?

DJ:
I'm sure it will, once it becomes even more international. The V8 Supercars are available to in excess of seven hundred million homes. It's good for the sport and it's good for us.