Popular Australian racer Steven Johnson will swap his V8 Supercar for a pure-bred racing Porsche 911 when lining up for the 2013 season of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
Having raced in the V8 Supercars Championship full-time since 2000, Johnson will now take the reins of the Hunter Sports Group Porsche, along with focussing on his role of Dick Johnson Racing General Manager.
Johnson replaces 2012 championship runner-up Jonny Reid, who has coincidently progressed to a full-time drive at Johnson’s family V8 Supercars team, Dick Johnson Racing.
“I said that my stepping down from DJR was only as a full-time V8 Supercar driver this year,” said Johnson.
“The good news is I will be on the grid in Adelaide and have a real crack at the Carrera Cup. It will be great to race with old foes such as Craig Baird and Steve Richards, plus a lot of the young guns.”
Johnson is no stranger to the Hunter Sports Group team, having claimed two Class B victories with the Newcastle-based outfit at the Bathurst 12 Hour event.
“I have enjoyed the endurance racing with the team but to move with Hunter Sports Group to the full series is a real buzz. These cars are fantastic to drive.”
Johnson’s confirmation for the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship opener at the Clipsal 500 completes an impressive 21-car Porsche field.
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Entry List – Clipsal 500
Car # Class Driver
1 Professional Craig Baird
4 Elite Stephen Grove
5 Professional Karl Reindler
6 Elite Tony Walls
7 Professional Warren Luff
8 Elite Max Twigg
9 Elite Marc Cini
10 Elite Michael Loccisano
12 Professional Steven Richards
13 Elite James Bergmuller
17 Professional Steven Johnson
19 Elite Damien Flack
20 Professional Duvashen Padayachee
21 Professional Shae Davies
24 Elite Tony Bates
29 Professional Michael Patrizi
47 Elite James Koundouris
50 Professional Matt Kingsley
55 Professional Renee Gracie
56 Elite Shane Smollen
222 Professional Nick Percat