seldo
03-05-2007, 09:14 AM
Today's Courier Mail ran this story in answer to the story sweeping the V8SC rumour-mill of UK's Carlin motorsport buying a 25% equity in DJR - seems DJR haven't been told yet....
"DICK Johnson Racing has denied that it is about to be taken over by the Brits.
The team has flatly rejected any knowledge that the UK-based Carlin Motorsport operation was angling for a slice of the longest running touring car team in Australia.
A story published in the new electronic version of Motorsport News said that Carlin "is reportedly taking (or has already taken) a preliminary 25 per cent share in DJR and "is expected to take control of the entire operation at the end of the year."
But any takeover is news to the Stapylton-based team who say they are not for sale.
"I'm sure they (Carlin) are interested in going V8 racing," DJR's Steve Chalker said in response to the story yesterday.
"But we are not actively looking for an equity partner.
"It could have just been triggered by someone overhearing a conversation and it has gone pear-shaped from there."
The Motorsport News piece said that a full story on the so-called Carlin takeover of DJR will be published in the next issue of Motorsport eNews.
"I don't know where they've got their information from and I can't wait to read the full story," an incredulous Chalker said.
DJR were saved from collapsing in a last minute deal when Jim Beam jumped on board just before Christmas last year.
The squad were left reeling in the wake of the collapse of WA property group Westpoint which left Dick Johnson's personal companies with the job of keeping the team rolling.
Without the Jim Beam deal, which is believed to be a modest involvement that revolves around the sale of merchandise, DJR would not have been able to turn up on the grid for the 2007 season.
Carlin, owned by Trevor Carlin and Martin Stone, has a rich record since being set up in 1996.
It is operating successfully in British Formula 3, the World Series By Renault and Formula BMW and the Hampshire-based squad.
Australians have been involved in Carlin's success over the years with Stone Brothers V8 Supercar driver James Courtney winning six races for the team in 2002 while Team Australia Champ Car pilot Will Power has also been a successful driver for the outfit.
Power recorded wins in the World Series by Renault for Carlin at Le Mans and Bilbao in Spain in 2005.
Overseas ownership interests in V8 Supercars has taken off in the last five years with the UK-based Triple Eight company taking over the franchise owned by Brisbane's John Briggs.
Brit David Richards's Prodrive operation took over Ford Performance Racing and also owns a controlling interest in Ford Performance Vehicles, the blue oval maker's hot road-car operation.
Together with established New Zealand involvement V8 teams are being increasing targets for international ownership."
"DICK Johnson Racing has denied that it is about to be taken over by the Brits.
The team has flatly rejected any knowledge that the UK-based Carlin Motorsport operation was angling for a slice of the longest running touring car team in Australia.
A story published in the new electronic version of Motorsport News said that Carlin "is reportedly taking (or has already taken) a preliminary 25 per cent share in DJR and "is expected to take control of the entire operation at the end of the year."
But any takeover is news to the Stapylton-based team who say they are not for sale.
"I'm sure they (Carlin) are interested in going V8 racing," DJR's Steve Chalker said in response to the story yesterday.
"But we are not actively looking for an equity partner.
"It could have just been triggered by someone overhearing a conversation and it has gone pear-shaped from there."
The Motorsport News piece said that a full story on the so-called Carlin takeover of DJR will be published in the next issue of Motorsport eNews.
"I don't know where they've got their information from and I can't wait to read the full story," an incredulous Chalker said.
DJR were saved from collapsing in a last minute deal when Jim Beam jumped on board just before Christmas last year.
The squad were left reeling in the wake of the collapse of WA property group Westpoint which left Dick Johnson's personal companies with the job of keeping the team rolling.
Without the Jim Beam deal, which is believed to be a modest involvement that revolves around the sale of merchandise, DJR would not have been able to turn up on the grid for the 2007 season.
Carlin, owned by Trevor Carlin and Martin Stone, has a rich record since being set up in 1996.
It is operating successfully in British Formula 3, the World Series By Renault and Formula BMW and the Hampshire-based squad.
Australians have been involved in Carlin's success over the years with Stone Brothers V8 Supercar driver James Courtney winning six races for the team in 2002 while Team Australia Champ Car pilot Will Power has also been a successful driver for the outfit.
Power recorded wins in the World Series by Renault for Carlin at Le Mans and Bilbao in Spain in 2005.
Overseas ownership interests in V8 Supercars has taken off in the last five years with the UK-based Triple Eight company taking over the franchise owned by Brisbane's John Briggs.
Brit David Richards's Prodrive operation took over Ford Performance Racing and also owns a controlling interest in Ford Performance Vehicles, the blue oval maker's hot road-car operation.
Together with established New Zealand involvement V8 teams are being increasing targets for international ownership."