Team Johnson eyeing TCM title push

Steven Johnson has his sights fixed on helping the new Team Johnson operation challenge for the Touring Car Masters title this season.

Confirmed just last week, Team Johnson will field a Ford Mustang in the popular series for Steven Johnson, with his three-time Bathurst 1000 winning father Dick Johnson assisting with the day-to-day running of the squad.

The new outfit has secured the use of the former John Bowe championship winning ‘Mustang Sally’, owned by Tony Warne, for the campaign, which begins at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 next week.

The car is the most successful in TCM history having recorded 74 race wins before Bowe sold the Mustang to Warne last year.

Johnson’s opportunity to drive the Mustang is likely to rekindle his battle with five-time champion Bowe, who aims to defend his title in a Holden Torana this year.

The pair enjoyed a thrilling dice in 2015 when Johnson scored 10 victories during a part campaign in the Mustang.

Johnson, who piloted a GTHO Falcon last year, is fully prepared for the team’s debut season following a solid shakedown at Winton on Friday.

“For sure the title is something I’m keen to win,” Johnson told Speedcafe.com.

“It is going to be a really interesting season.

“John (Bowe) is the most successful driver in TCM but there is not only him to beat.

“We are going to have to get everything right to be able to challenge for the top step of podium at Clipsal.

“The car was quite strong at the shakedown. We had a small little oil leak which was fixed quite quickly, but apart from that we had a great day.

“It is the first time I have done a shakedown before a TCM event.

“I got a feel for the car again and I feel a little bit more prepared this year that is for sure.”

Team Johnson is set to unveil its new look Ford Mustang in Adelaide on Wednesday March 1.

In addition to Johnson and Bowe, Touring Car Masters will welcome a 30-car grid in Adelaide, featuring a new face in former V8 Utes racer Ryan Hansford.

The son of 1993 Bathurst 1000 winner Gregg Hansford will drive a Holden Torana SLR 5000, once raced by Carey McMahon.

Hansford, who finished third in the V8 Utes Racing Series last year, tested the car at Queensland Raceway last week ahead of his category debut.

A five strong contingent of Holden Toranas is completed by Queenslander Bob Wisely, Adam Garwood and reigning Pro-am class champion Jason Gomersall, who will pilot his Peter Brock inspired A9X.

Meanwhile, seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner and former TCM champion Jim Richards is back for another campaign in an AMC Javelin.

Ford will be represented by renowned historic racer Terry Lawlor, who will drive a Mustang purchased from Glenn Seton, who finished third in the standings last year.

Another Mustang expected to run at the front will be Newcastle ace Cameron Mason, who returns to the series in 2017 after a season away last year.

Adelaide-based Whiteline Racing will field two cars for Adam Bressington and Mark King, while Brett Youlden’s ever-popular Holden Monaro also returns after several strong performances during a partial campaign last season.

Next weekend will also double as the season opener for the Classic Porsche IROC Challenge with the series to stage four rounds at TCM events this year.

Nine of the classic 3.6 litre Porsche 911 RS entries will compete, including defending class Champion Greg Keene, Sven Burchartz and Amanda Sparks.

The Touring Car Masters field will tackle three races across the Clipsal 500 weekend.

Touring Car Masters 2017 Clipsal 500 Entry List