V.I.P. Petfoods switches to Ford for 2012

 

From left, V.I.P. Petfoods owner Tony Quinn, Dick Johnson, Paul Morris and Steve Owen with some Very Important Pets!

 

February 2, 2012. V.I.P. Petfoods confirmed today that it will change from Holden to Ford in the 2012 V8 Supercars Championship. The switch co-incided with the merger of Paul Morris Racing, which prepared the #49 V.I.P. Petfoods Commodore in 2011, and Dick Johnson Racing, which will prepare a #49 V.I.P. Petfoods Falcon in 2012.

Steve Owen was thrilled to be continuing as V.I.P. Petfoods' V8 Supercars driver in the sprint races. He will team with a yet-to-be-confirmed co-driver in the long-distance races later in the year. "This is a fantastic opportunity to compete in another full season in the 'main game'," Steve said. "I have to thank V.I.P. Petfoods for their continued support."

V.I.P. Petfoods owner Tony Quinn was also excited about moving into Dick Johnson Racing. "This is a excellent fit for us - we see a great synergy between DJR, PMM and ourselves. I’m passionate about the V.I.P. Petfoods brand, and V8 Supercars delivers the right image and platform for us to showcase our business.

"We’re also pleased to support Steve Owen again this year. He’s been a great ambassador for our brand, and we have enjoyed our relationship with him."

Commenting on the merger, Dick Johnson said, “This year we will run a four-car team in the V8 Supercars 'main game' for the first time, so it’s an important development for us. I also welcome back Steve, who drove with us in the 2008 long-distance races."

Dick added that the support of an iconic local company like V.I.P. Petfoods was essential for the success of his racing team. "Tony Quinn has been an enthusiastic and generous supporter of Australian motorsport for more than a decade, and we look forward to working closely with V.I.P. Petfoods throughout the season.“

Paul Morris commented, “The DJR-PMM merger isn't just a commercial opportunity for our sponsors and team, but a chance for us to work alongside Dick Johnson. I have great respect for Dick as a person and team owner, and for the brand he has created.”

The 2012 V8 Supercars season kicks off officially on Saturday, February 11, with a free admission test day at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne. The first round of the Championship takes place in Adelaide on March 1-4.

 

V.I.P. PETFOODS

The Quinn family-owned Queensland company is a leader in fresh chilled petfood in Australia and around the world. Numerous industry awards attest to the quality of its products, and its consistently high standard of customer service.

V.I.P. Petfoods continues to grow, with a 7000sq.m state-of-the-art fresh chilled petfood factory at its Yatala head office. This purpose-built facility services the company's national customer base, as well as export markets in the USA, Canada, Japan and Korea.

STEVE OWEN

This year will be Steve Owen’s 14th as a professional racing car driver. The Gold Coast driver began in the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 1989, then went on to win the V8 Supercars Development Series in 2008 and 2010. He also won the Gold Coast 600 and finished second at the Bathurst 1000 in 2010, co-driving with Jamie Whincup.

It  will be the second time that Steve has driven a V8 Supercar built by Dick Johnson Racing. The first was when he co-drove with Warren Luff in the 2008 long-distance races.

Click on the image below to watch a Speedcafe video interview with Steve Owen at today's announcement.

 

 

DICK JOHNSON RACING

Established more than 30 years ago, Dick Johnson Racing is Australia's oldest continuously operating race team. Team principal Dick Johnson is a five-times Australian Touring Car Champion and triple Bathurst 1000 race winner.

In addition to Steve Owen in the #49 Falcon, DJR's other 2012 V8 Supercars drivers are Steven Johnson, whose car sports his father’s famous #17, Dean Fiore in car #12, and James Moffat (son of another Australian motor racing legend, Allan Moffat) in car #18.

The four-car team is based in a state-of-the-art race workshop in Stapylton, Queensland.

 

PAUL MORRIS MOTORSPORTS

The team originated in 1989 as an entrant in the Australian Formula Ford Championship. It then had a long relationship with BMW Australia's works-supported operation, winning four Super Touring titles.

Paul Morris Motorsports joined the V8 Supercars Championship in 2000, winning for the first time at Calder Raceway in 2001. The team has built Commodore V8 Supercars for its own use and for other race teams, as well as manufacturing many specialised components for these cars.