Johnson: It's been a big job
Dick Johnson believes many wouldn't realise just how much his team has had to put in to have a third Ford Falcon ready for the final round of the V8 Supercars 2014 Championship.
Speaking to v8supercars.com.au at the official unveiling of Marcos Ambrose's XBox-sponsored wildcard entry, Johnson emphasised the efforts from his crew - joined by five of Penske's people, who have flown in from the USA.
"It's been a really big job," Johnson said.
"Even though it was a complete car originally, when a complete car sits in the corner of the workshop, invariably bits and pieces get robbed off it!
"To fit Marcos in the car, get him comfortable - that takes a fair bit really."
Johnson was positive about the benefits of Ambrose racing in Sydney, for both the team and the sport.
"Marcos really wanted to get in and feel the car in a race situation, to have a bit of an idea what to expect when he gets out there next year," Johnson explained.
"So what transpired from that - they decided they'd run a wildcard at Homebush, which I think A) is good for Marcos and B) extremely good for the event at Homebush and really good for V8 Supercars to be able to have an event with something real and different."
Ambrose's return to a V8 Supercar today has generated widespread interest, a number of fans showing up to Lakeside for the ride day - not only catching a glimpse of the XBox #66 in the flesh, and circulating at the historic track.
Johnson was pleased to see fans turn out, looking for a flash-forward to 2015.
"It's Queensland - it's Lakeside, it's my home track and we have very loyal fans. And Marcos' fans as well," he said.
Given the team is operating the #66 in addition to the #16 and #17 of Scott Pye and David Wall, additional crew members are needed, and will stay for testing, pit stop practice and the like as the grand finale approaches.
"Because we've got five guys who have come out from America - some are from the IndyCar operation - so they are experienced mechanics, but not on these cars," Johnson said.
"So we need people to do wheel changes fuelling and things like that. It's not something that you can teach someone in five minutes, but we needed these guys who are experienced on that side of things, albeit on a different vehicle."
While Johnson was not specific about who would be engineering the car, he did say the team's new technical director Nick Hughes would be playing a big part.
"Nick will have a big hand in the whole lot because overall he's the man."
The team is currently on a break for lunch at Lakeside, with a final schedule of rides planned for the afternoon.
