Denyer reaches his V8 Summit
17/3/2005 16:11 (Press Release) -
Australia's most popular weather man is about to become one of the countries favourite V8 Supercar drivers. Sunrise reporter Grant Denyer, was officially welcomed as one of Dick Johnson Racing's 2005 V8 Super Development Series drivers today.
Denyer will drive the number 81 Summit Fleet Leasing/Jax Tyres Ford and partner 2000 Development Series Champion Dean Canto, who will steer the 71 BA Falcon.
After several years of driving in the V8 BRute Championship, life couldn't be better for Denyer.
"It's every red blooded Aussie male's dream to be a V8 Supercar driver, and I'm no different," Grant Denyer said
"When you have a goal of driving at Bathurst, the commercial reality is that you need to be in the main game, so to be here is fantastic, for me and the sponsors, it's a dream come true."
Denyer is thrilled to be bringing his entire sponsor package from BRutes to Dick Johnson Racing in 2005.
"I've had an incredible amount of support from Summit Fleet Leasing, Jax Tyres and Microcat, so to have them jump from V8 BRutes to V8 Supercars with me is fantastic," Denyer said.
"You don't get anywhere in this sport without support from your sponsors, without them you go no-where fast.
"Thankfully companies like Summit, Jax Tyres and Ford been brave enough to share a young boys dream and carry me through."
Denyer is understanding of the commercial realities of professional motorsport and expects to deliver strong exposure results to his sponsors.
"The sponsors are after exposure and a return on investment, and thankfully with 'Sunrise' and broadcasts from the track, it is something that I can give them," Denyer said.
"I look at it as a business, I have to work hard to give them results, as hard as I have to work on the track for my own results.
"If I can return fifty percent of what they're giving me, and I'll be trying pretty hard, I'd be happy."
As excited as Denyer is, he knows that 2005 represents a steep learning curve year as he slides into a V8 cockpit for the first time.
"I'm under no grand illusions that I'll be racing at the front this year," Denyer said.
"Utes to V8's will be like going from an ancient sundial, to tell the time, to using a digital watch; I'll definitely be taking it one race at a time.
"It's a two year plan, because you're not going to move into a V8 Supercar category and make an impression straight away, it just doesn't happen.
"In the first year I just want consistent, solid results, but most importantly I need to spend valuable time with icons like Dick Johnson, who knows everything, and engineers who can guide me through."
Denyer also admits to feeling the pressure to perform in-front of some of the sports legends.
"To be driving with Dick Johnson peering over the fence and guys like Steve Johnson and Glenn Seton watching your every move, is enormous pressure," Denyer said.
"Even as a Channel Ten commentator I never got over the wow factor of having to interview these guys, now I've got to perform in front of them, it's nerve wracking."
"Having said this, I'm sure I'll enjoy the ride. I'm now involved with the biggest act of all, the V8 Supercars. It can't get better than this."
Release Date: 22/03/2005
Dick Johnson Racing
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