The Wilson Security colour scheme that Dick Johnson Racing will campaign this season has made its public debut today at a team ride day.
The two Fords and their new drivers, Scott Pye and David Wall, are on track at Lakeside Raceway for the passenger running.
The day marks the first time that the cars have turned a wheel since their off-season rebuilds and comes just four days before the compulsory V8 Supercars pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Although teams are not allowed to make any adjustments to their cars on a ride day, DJR sporting director Campbell Little told Speedcafe.com that the hit-out will be of some benefit ahead of the Sydney test.
“It’s good because there’s not any pressure for the drivers to go 100 percent as they figure it all out, they can just drive around and get used to the feel of the car,” he told Speedcafe.com.
“It helps to get a read on seat positions and all of the little stuff that often drivers don’t make a decision on until they have driven the car.
“We have staff in different roles this year that can also get their heads around procedures and so on during the day that’ll give us a head-start before Sydney.”
The staff changes include the recruitment of race engineer Chris Stuckey to work alongside Wall.
Dick Johnson, who sealed the first of his five Australian Touring Car Championships at Lakeside in 1981, expressed his enthusiasm for seeing his new drivers at the venue.
“To be honest I did not think I would see our current cars pounding around Lakeside but let me tell you, this track gets your attention so it is good for the boys to come out here and really get to grips with the cars,” he said.
“Seat time is so important now, and although we don’t race here, it will get Scott and David very focused on the job next weekend in Sydney.”
