Johnson Home for Enduros, Despite Interest from Others

Coming home for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 was the number one racing option for Steven Johnson this season.

Despite significant interest from rival teams in signing him, Johnson will suit up at Dick Johnson Racing for the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, alongside David Wall in the famous #17 – click here for the original announcement.

“I had three very good offers from three different teams and talking to a fourth, so it was a matter of me making my decision and making the right decision that was going to be best for me – and that turns out to be DJR this year,” Johnson told v8supercars.com.au.

Last season, fans were shocked to see Johnson head to Erebus Motorsport for the enduros, particularly as he maintained the general manager role at DJR. But he had his family team’s best interests at heart after a challenging start to the 2013, and had personal goals such as working with a different group to achieve as well.

“I really enjoyed my time with Erebus last year and I still am quite close to Ryan (Maddison, team boss), Betty (Klimenko, team owner)… all the guys there. I’m still talking to them and you never know what might pop up in the future.”

Cementing the future of DJR – now known as Wilson Security Racing, after the coup of a major naming rights sponsor – the feeling of growth and expansion meant co-driving there was right for Johnson this time around.

“For this year it was quite important to Wilson Security and DJR – in that they have brought John Bowe back as well – they wanted the whole family back together, so to speak,” Johnson explained.

“That’s one factor, but another factor is I think this year as well, getting back to Dick Johnson Racing and running there for the three races is really going to cement the relationship there with DJR and the family.

“Definitely not a commercial choice, but I think it’s the best gig for me going forward this year.”

Johnson is hoping to ruffle a few feathers in the three-event Championship within a Championship, which includes the prestigious Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

His eye is still on the prize – returning to the V8 Supercars Championship as a main game driver.

“Obviously I’m really going to be trying to get a full-time drive again and be doing whatever I can this year to try and secure that. Whether that’s DJR or elsewhere.”

Funnily enough, ‘Stevie J’ has not yet driven his family team’s New Generation V8 Supercar, other than a brief shakedown in wet weather ahead of last year’s season start.

“I’ve actually never driven a DJR Car of the Future car, apart from the very initial shakedown we did three days before Clipsal last year in the rain at Norwell. I’d done 10-15 laps to see if it worked… So I’ve never driver one properly in anger at a dry track.”

He believes pairing with David Wall has the potential to snare strong results throughout the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, particularly given the speed of the Wilson Security backed Falcons last year.

“I think it’s going to be a very good fit. David’s experienced in V8s now.

“We need to work hard this year, and I’m going to work closely. And that’s another reason to come back to DJR for enduros – not just the three events but to help and coach Dave through the year. So we can start working on driving and working on really assisting David as much as we can through the year, mentally and with the car and the way (to drive it).

“Obviously David is very close to Wilson Security and also Payce, who are both sponsors of the team, and I guess there was a bit of pressure from them as well to come on board – they see me as quite an experienced driver in this category and they can see the benefit of me coming onboard to help David and develop him more.

“I think we’ll make a pretty good team and I’ll be able to do all the co-driver sessions at selected rounds and all the test days, being announced early will be a benefit… The good thing about David is we’re a very similar height. I think he’s actually a bit taller than me, I think it’s the first time ever I’m driving with someone taller than me!”

The PIRTEK Enduro Cup kicks off with the Wilson Security Sandown 500 in September.