An iconic partnership will continue for years to come after the Shell V-Power brand renewed its naming rights sponsorship of legendary team Dick Johnson Racing.
The current era of the relationship started in 2017 when Shell V-Power took the naming rights, however the brand has supported Dick Johnson since 1967. Away from the track during the early 1980s Johnson owned and operated a Shell Service Station, so the link with the brand goes beyond the race team.
Shell first took on major sponsorship of Johnson’s team in 1987 when the squad debuted worldwide the Ford Sierra Cosworth at Round 1 of the Australian Touring Car Championship at Calder Park, as the fuel brand also undertook naming rights of the title.
The late 1980s proved a successful period as it dominated the 1988 and 1989 ATCC seasons, before taking victory at Bathurst in the latter season. DJR also took one of its Sierras to Silverstone where it set pole in the RAC Tourist Trophy, a round of the European Touring Car Championship.
When the ATCC went to the V8 Ford vs Holden in 1993, DJR’s success continued with another Bathurst victory in 1994 and John Bowe’s touring car title a year later.
In this new era, Scott McLaughlin took a hat-trick of Supercars titles and a Bathurst victory before moving to IndyCar.
Johnson is pleased to continue the partnership as it enters Supercars’ new Gen3 regulations.
“To have the premium fuel brand – Shell V-Power – continue to support DJR, from my years of racing to our current team is something that I am very proud of,” said Johnson.
“It’s not very often that you see an organisation support one sporting team for a sustained period. None of our partnerships are just stickers on race cars.”
Executive Chairman and team co-owner Ryan Storey shared Johnson’s sentiment.
“Viva Energy Australia has been a fantastic partner for our team over the last five decades and a significant part of our success since becoming the naming rights partner in 2017,” Storey emphasised.
“To achieve what we have achieved with Viva Energy Australia on and off the track is something not many sporting teams could do. I am incredibly proud of everyone involved.
“With the introduction of Gen3 in 2023, I can’t wait to see the Shell V-Power Ford Mustang GTS out on track in Newcastle to open the season.”
Executive General Manager Consumer of Viva Energy Australia, Megan Foster is excited to renew Shell V-Power Racing’s naming rights status with DJR.
“We are so proud to be associated with Dick Johnson Racing and to have been part of the rich history for over five decades,” said Foster.
“It simply makes perfect sense for us to sign on and continue our partnership into the future.
“Viva Energy Australia and DJR aren’t just aligned in delivering quality fuels and superb racing, both organisations have strong sustainability ambitions, and we are doing our part to address the impacts of climate change in Australia.
“We believe in everything the team is doing, led by motorsport royalty in DJ and of course Ryan Story. The team members are great ambassadors for our brand, amazing contributors to the overall sport and we have a fantastic collaboration between our two organisations. That’s what makes great partnerships.