Johnson split denied by Ford
By Ray Kershler
July 26, 2004
DESPITE persistent speculation that Ford racing legend Dick Johnson has had talks with Holden, a senior Ford official yesterday denied any split.
Steve Kruk of Ford Racing said he believed talk of a defection was "nothing but speculation".
"We have had talks with Dick and all our talks have been about making Dick Johnson racing better, faster and stronger," Kruk said.
Kruk acknowledged that the DJR team was having a lean trot in V8 Supercar racing but was confident that would be turned around.
"I don't believe Dick wants to leave Ford and I don't believe Ford wants Dick to leave and I don't believe Ford fans want Dick to leave," he said.
"I look forward to seeing them back on the podium and winning races."
Kruk said Ford had a long-term contract with Johnson but refused to divulge details.
Johnson again refused to fuel the speculation which started in pit lane at the Winton round of the V8 Supercar championship on Saturday.
Despite denials since then by both Ford and Holden officials, stories persisted yesterday that Johnson had had talks with Holden.
Central to the speculation is the suggestion that Ford's downgraded support for DJR has sewn seeds of discontent.
DJR is believed to have been dropped down the pecking order in Ford financial support behind the factory backed Ford Performance Racing and the 2003 championship-winning Stone Brothers teams.
Even the possibility of Johnson defecting to Holden has rocked motor racing.
Johnson, who won three Bathurst 1000 races and won the Australian touring car championship five times, established himself as a Ford legend.
He retired from V8 Supercar racing in 1999 and since then DJR has had some lean years in terms of racetrack results.
The team, which campaigns with major support from Shell oil company, currently employs Johnson's son Steve and newcomer Warren Luff as drivers.
The Daily Telegraph.
Got this from foxsports news website.Hope it clears up any confusion.
Well i don't know if it is just me but I have noticed that DJR have slightly improved over the last couple of rounds. I hope that they get their form back from the earl 90's and take it up to SBR. I would like to see 2+ Ford teams going at it for the championship.
__________________
Truly the deepest kiss one can feel, and the one most sought after, is the one you will not survive....
Nah mate its not just you, im of the same opinion, they have been doing better.
It would be a huge shame if Ford lost Dick, but to be honest i cant see the romours being true.
Well at least i hope not.
Nah mate its not just you, im of the same opinion, they have been doing better.
It would be a huge shame if Ford lost Dick, but to be honest i cant see the romours being true.
Well at least i hope not.
In your avatar...is that shot from the v8 sprints at Bathurst 1995....just curious.
.
__________________
Known around town as the Roundabout King.........All those who have tried.....Have Fried...
Proud Owner of a Tickford TE-50 T3 No 033.....13.62 @ 102.07mph..0-100-4.988 secs
Wow, got a full sized image of that one in the avatar, those were great days at the mount, DJR were untouchable, so fast down the straight that DJ actually broke the rear wing in two...
Good to hear, but I also think Ford is correct in dropping DJR down the pecking order.
I reakon DJR are doing a better job than FPR are, but pecking order between FPR & DJR would be irrelavent for a factory backed team, if you know what I mean.
__________________ Scope out my '80 XD Fairmont Ghia 351 V8 in the gallery!
Dick actually raced Holden's for a long time with a fair amount of success before joining the Ford side in the late 70's... Personally i think the drivers make a lot of difference to the performance of the DJR falcon's
Nah mate its not just you, im of the same opinion, they have been doing better.
It would be a huge shame if Ford lost Dick, but to be honest i cant see the romours being true.
Well at least i hope not.
They definitely are on a comeback... hopefully they can become the same force they were in the past, eh?
__________________
Member 2 of 3 of the "God I hate cheers and regards autosignatures" group
"We'll get 'em next year, Mark" - Jeff Grech at the creek, 2003.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Marcos Ambrose, V8 Supercar Champion 2003 2004.
Scope out my '80 XD Fairmont Ghia 351 V8 in the gallery! 
XF Falcon - LPG Turbo Coming Soon
Linear Mode
